Not cool.

Disgraceful! I'll make a special point of getting back there for dinner soon, to show them some support.

Cowards hide in groups.
– Umberto Swarm

When I was looking into weird patents a few weeks ago, I found an application for one that was a diet formula for geese and ducks that promoted foie gras grade fatty livers without over-feeding. I wonder what the foie gras cowards would say to thta?

That's what we call domestic terrorism.

First they came first for the foie gras and I didn’t speak up because I didn't eat foie gras ...

I do not agree with any kind of violence or degradation of property. But i do agree that so called "food" should be taken off of menus. Its down right sickening. You people sure eat some strange crap.

OK, you've had the last word under this post about the morality of eating foie gras. We've discussed the subject at length under earlier posts. Right now the subject is the foie gras wars, local vandalism and, I don't know, the decline of modern civilization. But I don't want the discussion about foie gras itself to start up again here. EL

I say we draw them out.

Open a restaurant called "Foie Gras R Us" and serve nothing but.

It will be too tempting for them to resist but little will they know it will be covered with cameras!

Seriously, WTF.

Holy crap!

Foie gras is an easy target, but in the average restaurant, all of the other meat & poultry is likely just as inhumane. That's why I don't eat any of it. Frankly, anybody who gets so worked up over foie gras should look at the big picture. It's a lot worse than foie gras in some haute wine bar in Columbia.

What a moronic thing to do. If you don't want to eat foie gras or don't like businesses that sell it fine, don't patronize them. Vandalizing people's property because you disagree with them is idiotic and criminal behavior. I wonder how the vandals would feel if their neighbors that had a disagreement with them or didn't like how they live their lives vandalized their home.

Foie gras is the Angelina Jolie of foods.

On my way into Corks on Friday night about 6 hippies from PETA were being cuffed and thrown in the back of a paddy wagon for increasingly offensive protesting of Foie Gras. I ordered it out of spite, and it was fantastic.

Hopefully I'm not repeating something already mentioned in this blog, but there was likewise a protest outside of Corks in Federal Hill on Friday night. I only know it had something to do with ducks, so I assume it's related to this foie gras thing.

In the article there was mention that the activists intimidated Tersiguel's into dropping Foie Gras. For too many restaurants it is easier to just give into the protestors. I hope Iron Bridge is able to withstand this criminal attack.

I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables! :-)

This kind of thing is no different than hating someone because of their religion.Stop Hatin'!I mean seriously, whgere does it end? I guess everyone has a right to protest, but this is terrorism.

Seriously, there are so many more important issues to get your knickers in a twist about. Why don't they protest the lack of decent food in schools or the way prisoners are treated or any number of more pressing problems.

I love fois gras and order it when I see it on a menu!

Point to RayRay.

In my experience there is a sizable group of so-called animal rights people who really don't like people much, particularly children. That kind of outlook implies some sort of self-hatred. The impulse to deny yourself pleasure here then extends to denying others the same. Compassion for animals but not people seems like an abnegation of humanity, a weird form of ritual community masochism.

.

Find the criminals and lock them up. Nothing justifies this.

Foie gras is only the camel's nose. Most of the more militant protesters think everyone should be vegan.

I'm all for treating and slaughtering animals in an ethical manner. There are better ways to go about getting your animal cruelty points across than acting like a drunk 13 year old boy.

You can have my foie gras when you pry it from my cold dead hands!

(You damned dirt apes.)

I'm speechless. This is the same kind of lunacy that protests abortions by blowing up the clinics and killing the people inside. And, for the record, I don't believe in abortions. It's this terrorist mentality that I just don't understand at all.

"Salads are only for murderers
Cole slaw's a fascist regime
Don't think that they don't have feelings
Just 'cause a radish can't scream"
- Arrogant Worms
from Carrot Juice Is Murder

Explain camel's nose please

I *love* the Arrogant Worms! Canadian humour for the win!

Owlie, you've never heard the story of the camel trying to get inside the tent?

Explain camel's nose please

Owl, I find it hard to believe that you've never heard any of the sayings about the camel getting its nose into the tent.

Check here for a sample.

El, I can't believe you approved the comment by Vernon. It's one thing to say a restaurant has food you don't like or service that doesn't meet your standards but this goes way beyond that. This isn't opinion. Personally I would have checked out the accusations he is making before I approved the comment.

it slipped past me. I'll kill it out. EL

Owl, I find it hard to believe that you've never heard any of the sayings about the camel getting its nose into the tent.

My ignorance is staggering

I'm having a Foie Gras dinner June 25th starting at 7:30 pm it will be 6 courses and will have wine pairing for each for more details call Alizee and ask to speak to Chef Joshau

In an post from last week, I mentioned this. A small group of PETA protestors were stationed in front of Corks on March 13 and 20. On the 13th, there were about 10, who protested, video taped anyone going in the restaurant, and generally terrorized/antagonized anyone who came within sounding distance of the place. They ended up in an altercation with at least one person passing by. The police only arrived after they had departed, but the officers did note that they had terrorized another restaurant in The Harbor that sold fois gois.

They returned on the 20th. This time with a group of about 15 (the numbers ever-growing). This time they had the same tactics, video camera, ACLU protester's handbook, pamphlets. However, they brought megaphones this time. Plus the police showed up while they were still protesting. After repeatedly asking them to disperse, they began quoting their rights from the ACLU handbook, and refused to stop blocking the sidewalk, or to put their magaphones away.

Long story short, I'd say 8 - 10 of them were arrested for disturbing the peace and blocking the sidewalk. These are slap-on-the-wrist charges, but I'm sure they're not going to want to end up back in Central Booking on a Friday night for some time. That's 12+ hours of their lives that they're not going to get back....and they're probably going to have some new fodder for some interesting dreams.

Referring to Joyce's comment....'This is the same kind of lunacy that protests abortions by blowing up the clinics and killing the people inside.' . . . as I read the article - that is exactly what came to my mind. It's insane behavior that should be dealt with accordingly. The world is FULL of idiots.

Prison food is not vegan friendly from what I hear.

I know someone arrested for a DUI over a weekend. Really unplesant. He said one of the funniest things ever: "I had the WORST hamburger in jail this weekend." Well I hope so.

I think animal rights vandals are more interested in vandalism than animal rights.
I had lunch once at Iron Bridge--food was good, service friendly and unhurried, and the wine is tops. I will have to go back. I am not fond of foie gras but I am sure the Weckers will take my money for something else.

The costs of a DUI

Attorney Fees
Court Fees and Fines
Vehicle Impound Charge
Lost Wages
Having to eat a really bad burger

RoCK -- looks like you just created a great PSA.

to Pigtown: Importance of issues like animal rights & cruelty, diet, prisoner welfare, & public school food are relative. For me, animal rights is more important than prisoner rights, & with good reason.

to Owl Meat: For Animal Rights activists, there's a lot to loathe about humanity, namely the abundance of blind consumption & its impact on our environment, including other species. The challenge for activists is to attack the issues productively, not destructively.

or a Mastercard ad.

I really don't understand people who choose to protest or voice their opinions through illegal means. As if wronging someone else makes their opinions more right.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that my family fled a third world country under communist rule and we starved in the jungle and refugee camps for the earlier part of my life, but it amazes me how some people are so concerned about the well being and care of an animal before it ultimately gets slaughtered to become a meal. I think a couple of years ago, Whole Foods and other local stores stopped selling live lobsters because of some reported cruelty of keeping them in the tank.

Prison might not be fun, but for the folks who have worked there, like myself, it seems like they DO have it made. The State does cater to the inmates dietary needs. There are ovr 13 differnt meal "plans", from vegatarian to special heart patient menus.

Maybe prisons should serve everyone the special heart patients' menu. It would probably be a better deterrent than anything else we've tried.

Owl, I'll out myself and confess that I didn't know about the camel's nose, either.

I say serve everyone in prison vegan food.

how 'bout camel.... ok, I'll behave!

Joyce, Bourdain's Saudi Arabia show had a camel feast. They cooked it in a kind of giant pressure cooker.

I made reservations at Iron Bridge for this Saturday night and I told the person taking my reservation to keep serving foie gras and not to be bullied by scum of the earth.
The owners need to get themselves a security camera to keep an eye on their place. I got a camera and I caught the egg-throwing vandals making a mess out of my townhouse.

Alan

I also disagree with the vandalism and it has no relation to the peaceful and lawful protests against animal cruelty. Please open your mind to both sides of stories, and do your research, then decide.

I am one of the protesters who was at the Corks both days, big chef moves - get your facts straight or don't lie to people about what happen. On the 13th, for example, a police officer who is aware of the law, told us that we have a right to protests, but without bullhorns, which we agreed to do.

Police officers on the 20th, either were not aware of the law, or most likely were misinterpreting it just to get rid of us, for which they will be sued. There goes taxpayers money.

It's sad how many misconceptions there are here and how many downright lies. First, the group was not people from PETA...I should know because I was one of the people there. Secondly we were not blocking the sidewalk...we were engaged in a legal protest, according to the laws of the city of Baltimore. Thirdly, cameras are not recording who goes in and out of the restaurant..they are recording the protesters and the police, to prevent police harrassment. People have a constitutional right in this country to protest, and the general public at large seems to forget that if it's not an issue that they are particularly sympathetic to. ...
Oh and one final point....The group of protesters at Cork's does not engage in vandalism. We never have and we certainly don't now.

I removed part of your post because as I said farther up under another comment, we're not going to go there again. EL

skippy, you just had to go there didn't you?

V, thank you for pointing out that you will be wasting tax payers' money. I really appreciate your use of my funds, because lord knows, I'd hate for it to be used for public education funding, or to go towards building a dog park.

I've found the simplest way to contribute to the downfall of a particular trend is not to engage myself in it. And ending cruel treatment of animals is best done by contacting your local representatives and pushing it from the grass roots level.

Harassing or preventing others from indulging in something you don't approve of does absolutely nothing to change someone's mind, and often turns your message into a fringe issue. I am certain that those involved in those protests probably engage in something I wouldn't approve of. Perhaps I should gather my friends and go to their homes or places of business and protest them and their behaviors. Perhaps when they are out trying to enjoy themselves and their activities, I should try to disrupt their evenings.

Sorry for the lengthy post, it's just that I find this type of protesting really, really useless.

Rick,

Perception is a marvelous thing, isn't it?

I was there both nights. I saw your protest first-hand. To say you weren't blocking the sidewalk is absolute malarkey. If you weren't blocking the sidewalk, why were you detained?

Your cameras were pointed at anyone who came within 5 feet of the restaurant. As were your verbal barbs, which at least on the 13th prompted at least one altercation with a Corks' patron, one which you videotaped and your group declared was for the purposes of pressing charges against the assailant.

Never did I accuse your particular group of vandalism; however, I do question your tactics and the legality behind them. Your group was blocking the sidewalk and your group was using megaphones. For these violations, you were detained.

Don't hind behind the "Lil Ol' Me" bunk defense. What you did was skirt legality as closely as you possibly could with your inflammatory actions. This time you were detained for getting too close.

Don't lick the socket if you're not prepared for the shock.

wah wah wah ....
these posts are the same every time and the net result is 100% of the time lots of sympathetic publicity for the whatever restaurant. Now if I owned a restaurant, I would pay people to protest in front of my place. Hmmm.... I wonder....

There were PETA flyers all over the ground on our way out. Maybe you were also detained for littering?

I love that you bring up the fact that you have the right to protest. I have the right to eat anything I deem delicious, and foie gras is delicious.

Do you also propose we stop testing pharmaceuticals on animals? The day you and your hippie friends start lining up for preliminary testing at my lab is the day I stop injecting monkeys with drugs.

There's room for all of God's creatures.
Right next to the mashed potatoes.

This Foie Gras issue is no different than an issue happening where I live. They have enacted laws in Myrtle Beach to keep out Bikers even though it's a resort area and depends on Tourism to survive.

I don't eat Foie Gras or have a Harley but my point is that certain people are absolutists. They don't want fair, they want it their way. And that's definitely not the American way.

Sure, absolutism is the American way. This country was founded by people who were absolutely sure they were right. So sure, they were happy to let other people die to prove it.

Actually a large number of the People that signed the Declaration of Independence also fought in the war. Even the ones that didn't were considered Traitors by the British Crown and would have been executed if they were captured.

These foie gras debates eventually fall into mind numbing redundancy. So perhaps its time for this blog to go back where it belongs, talking about old movies, religion and EL's daughter. Likewise, it is time for the protestors to go back where they belong, their parents' basement.

RayRay, you are a hoot.

Absolut is ok. Grey Goose much better!

This country was founded by people who were absolutely sure they were right.

Yeah a representative democracy is so absolutey compared to, say, ... a monarchy. Which countries were founded by people who were quite unsure of their ideas? Come on, you can do better.

Owlie, this country was *not* founded as a representative democracy. It was founded as a republic, with lots of laws that were designed solely to keep most of the population from having a say. You know, like slaves, women, white males who didn't own land, those kinds of people.

...perhaps its time for this blog to go back where it belongs, talking about old movies, religion and EL's daughter.

And Barbie Hargrave. Don't forget Barbie Hargrave.

Seconding JW: Grey Goose is on another planet better.

Grey Goose is good, but bourbon is better than vodka.

I much prefer the vodka discussion over the PETA. Grey Goose is quite good and most places carry it, so it's an old favorite.

I've recently discovered a new vodka of choice, Zyr. Of course, there are better vodkas out there, as there are better vodkas than Grey Goose. Zyr is a moderately priced (similar to Grey Goose), smooth vodka, with an clean finish. Goose-lovers (not the PETA types, the vodka types) give it a shot.

I am pleading Iron Bridge to stand their ground and not succumb to these cowards who use terrorism to try to push their beliefs on others. Next opportunity we get we will be dining at Iron Bridge to show our support. My question is: if these cowards felt so strongly about their beliefs, why sneak in and perform their acts of terrorism in the night?
BTW - "Vegetarian" is an old indian word for "bad hunter" - there's something to chew on.

I like Ketel One. Anyone else with me?

PCB Rob, can you recommend a good starter bourbon?

Like Mr. Mencken, I am virtually omnibibulous, but I have never understood the appeal of vodka; and I entertain dark suspicions that people who differentiate the tastes of various brands actually -- apart from the cheaper versions that taste like sand probably contain kerosene -- are imagining distinctions. The Russians knock it back to get the immediate effect, which can be replicated more cheaply by asking someone to hit you in the medulla oblongata with a baseball bat. (I'm suspicious of tequila, too.) If you want a liquor that tastes like something, good bourbon, good gin and single-malt Scotch repay your time, taste and expenditure more rewardingly.

(Is this enough to keep us from going back to foie gras?)

I don't know that it qualfies for Comment of the Week, but it certainly is the leader in the clubhouse for Word of the Week: "omnibibulous"

Odd, I don't recall writing that extraneous "taste like sand" in my previous comment. Perhaps it was only a light stroke. Or Is Owl Meat trying to intrude telepathically? I was writing without my tinfoil hat.

You're losing it JM

Welcome to the Oh, s**t wing of D@L, Mr McIntyre. I'm never sure which is worse, seeing the error whilst waiting for the comment to upload (and debating if its worth bothering her Exaultedness to make an edit) or not see the error until it posts.

Stacy,
Woodford Reserve is very good, as is Maker's Mark and Knob Creek. If you enjoy these, then perhaps try Booker's or Basil Hayden.

These may cost more than the mainstream Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam, but they are much better and worth the extra money.

It's that sandbox effect, Professor. As you have noted, resistance is futile.

Urrrgh. Jack Daniel's is not Bourbon; it's Tennessee whiskey.

All the others PCP Rob mentioned are fine. It really depends upon your preference and what you want to do with it.

On the rare occasion that I drink bourbon I prefer it neat, same with Scotch or Irish whiskey, although I have been known to drink Jameson's on ice to slow my roll. In that case I like Booker's but it's a deadly strong tonic to be feared and respected – 126 proof straight from the barrel. It should never be mixed with anything and should be sipped like fine Cognac. It's that complex and fearsome.

I think mixing whiskey and ice is a travesty in general because it dilutes it with nasty ice machine city water taste and the coldness destroys most of the flavor. As I said it's a matter of preference and my opinion is not shared by certain others in my life. In deference to a certain awesome someone, if you like bourbon cold with ice and water, then maybe Maker's is great for that purpose because it is very middle notey and that flavor can survive the cold water. To me it's like bourbon-flavored water, but that's just me.

Maker's Mark is overrated – fancy bottle, very middle notey, lacks depth, weak crenulated finish. Woodford is much better, but has a weak finish. Jim Beam makes a whole bunch of small batch bourbons that really shook up the market about ten years ago – Baker's, Booker's, Basel Hayden and Knob Creek. All excellent but distinctive. Try them.

For the price I think Jim Beam Black is an excellent starter bourbon. It's more complex and refined than regular Jim Beam. It's good mixed with cola or in a Manhattan or sipped neat. You might try sipping a tiny bit of Beam and Beam Black to start off. If you can't tell the difference, then just go with Beam. It's a long journey. Don't rush it.

Monday gonna take a ride on
The N train down to Coney Island
With the money I saved
Gonna get me engraved
Drink down a lot of Basil Hayden
Get kicked out when I can't see straight and
What an island to be on
Under the neon

Red dragon tattoo
Is just about on me
I got it for you
So now do you want me?
With nothing to prove
Will you be my honey?
oh yeah
In you I confide
Red dragon tattoo
I'm fit to be dyed
Am I fit to have you?

Thanks Owl, your descriptions were a lot better than my attempt.

True, JD is Tennessee whisky (my bad) and it will never grace my glass. Never liked the taste of it.

I usually have my bourbon neat as well. I rarely drink it on the rocks. If Stacy wants to mix it, bourbon is pretty good with ginger ale.

Basil Hayden is also a very good bourbon.

The piano has been drinkin'
Not me

Old Forester is decent as a sub-premium bourbon, particularly for cocktails. It's by no means as smooth as Woodford Reserve, but it is also not as raw as the lesser whiskeys.

And do not discount bourbon's versatility. In a toddy -- dissolve a little sugar in boiling water, stir in some juice from a lemon, and add a healthy glug of bourbon -- and you will have a beverage to counteract the ill effects of the chilly late spring.

In an emergency, the Tennessee stuff is drinkable.

Old Forester does have a decrepit charm.

How did I forget the classic Wild Turkey? Now if you want to be a real trend setter pick out a more obscure traditional brand. I suggest Old Grand Dad. OGD? Yeah, you know me! I love that joke. It's a good bourbon and you can blow all the trend followers away with their Maker's Mark. Wild Turkey is a little too biker-chick wannabe, but will still get you mad props. Rebel Yell, well, just no.

I have a certain decrepit charm myself.

When I'm slumming it, nothing beats a Rebel Yell and an Ale-one-8, a unique Kentucky soda that is the unholy marriage of ginger ale and mountain dew.

When I'm trying to stay classy, I go for the Basil Hayden. I like its peppery flavor. From what I understand, it is made with a little more rye than most bourbon.

According to Wikipedia (oh Wikipedia what don't you know) Basil Hayden is named after a Marylander who moved out to Kentucky. No doubt he was driven out by the high taxes.

I seem to remember a wonderful country western song from about 20 years ago that included the line, "Why would I want to go out with a wild turkey like you?"

Slumming it talk brings to mind Fred Sanford's combo of ripple and champagne. He called it "champimple". Is it true that ripple is made from prunes, btw?

RoCK, I was at Jiffy Lube today and there was a dude waiting for his car wearing a tank top that said "Stay Classy". Was that you?

Stacy, if you want to make bourbon your friend, start with Makers Mark, it's smooth and not as harsh to a newcomer as some of the other fine brands mentioned here, which are more suited to advanced bourbon drinking. Woodford is a little harsh for a starter bourbon. As is Knob Creek.

You really shouldn't mix any bourbon with anything if you want to see if you like the taste, but if you don't want to end up real drunk real fast, you will learn to cut it with some water and/or ice. It's one thing to be into some kind of navel-gazing bourbon tasting experience, and quite another to drink it for the long haul of a night.

And Owl, you are acting all bourbon-pretentious, which is obnoxious. You're asking for it.

Owl, why all the hate on Maker's Mark? Its a pretty smooth bourbon. Well, yeah it doesn't have that kick-you-in-the-teeth taste that Booker's has, but its good stuff. Its a fine drink when you want something tasty, but not over the top.

JMc, Old Forester? Really? Maybe its good for egg nog, but it probably is not good to drink neat or on the rocks.

Rebel Yell is good stuff, I'd drink it over JD or Beam White any day.

Just today I go into my local liquor store to purchase some bourbon. They had 1.75 liters (a handle!) of Rebel Yell on sale, so I got one. It scans for $12.99 when the sale price is $24.99. Liquor is pricey here, especially during spring break.
The clerk goes back to where it is on the shelf and pulls the price tag off, saying they "need to fix that". Since the bottle scanned for $12.99, that's all they wanted to charge me.

PCB Rob, I hope you did not insist on giving them $24.99.

Stacy, She Who Shall Not Be Named also likes Ketel One, as I recall.

Joyce W., I have zero idea if Ripple is made from prunes, but I was in Trader Joe's yesterday and when a read a fruit juice label I saw that it included red cabbage juice. Say what?

Thanks, everyone. I plan on making Makers Mark my friend this weekend. We're going to forget about the recession together.

Dahlink,
No, I didn't insist on paying more, and they didn't ask me to, either.

Dahlink, She Who Shall Not Be Named (that makes me think of Voldemort) and I are BFF now. I should switch vodka brands.

All this fine talk about bourbon is tempting me to try it again, even though my last attempt ended with what my friends call "The Bourbon Incident" (not to be confused with "The Tequila Incident"). I'll follow Bourbon Girl's advice.

YP, I too have had "The Tequila Incident" as well as "The Jack Daniels Incident". These days I can't even stand the smell of them.

Joyce, are you sure you weren't with me during those incidents? (Not that I would remember.) I haven't touched JD either and I react the same way. Plus most hard liquor of color gives me a rip-roaring migraine.

My "Tequila Incident" led to my nickname Trixie. After many years, it has just stuck with me (the nickname, not the Tequila). I am with you Joyce, I can't stand the smell either.

Because of a few unfortunate incidents in my youth, I cannot stand the smell of Sloe Gin, Southern Comfort, or Rusty Nails. I'm perfectly happy with a moderate amount of wine or beer.

Hey - now that we are talking about bourbon. My current recommendation and current favorite is Evan Williams - Single Barrel Vintage. Please note: not to be used as a mixer!!!! Was an Ezra Brooks fan prior to the EW SB.

I have a new daydream. Drinking tequila with Joyce, YumPorchetta and Trixie.

Might be more fun if I don't drink any myself.

I had a Beer Incident in Newark, NJ. Decades later, I still can't stand to be around either.

Eve,

Can't stand to be around beer, or Newark, NJ. If it's the latter, I don't think you are alone

Eve, I don't mind beer (but I'm not a beer lover) but I cant stand to be around Newark NJ.

I forgot to add 7 and 7 and southern comfort to that list of "incident" drinks. The good part is that legal drinking age was 18, so by the time I was 25 I'd already eliminated most alcoholic beverages and binge drinking from my weekly activities! And, I could have been with some or all of you during these incidents because like YP, wouldn't remember a thing - but the smell of the booze!

Ladies, if we get together for a drink presently, I have a (self set) limit! Mojitos by the pool this summer?

I had a root beer incident in my youth, involving the consumption of warm root beer followed by a long drive on a bumpy, 4-wheel-drive mountain road. I still don't like root beer.

Lissa, my "friends" still send me tequila ads by email and anonymously through smail. At least I know I didn't commit the crime against humanity of drinking The McClelland mixed with Lemon-Lime Diet Snapple...

Ugh, I just gagged when I saw Southern Comfort Joyce! I had (thankful) forgotten/not remembered about that one. I am starting to wonder if all of our paths had drunkenly crossed years ago. Mad Dog 20/20 anyone?

Trixie,
How about Annie Green Spring, os Boones Farm.

RayRay - Not familiar with Annie Green Spring, but yes to Boones Farm. And Richard's Wild Irish Rose. "I am not under the alcofluence of incohol has thinkle peep I am!"

HeHe

My sister was fond of Richard's Wild Irish Rose, MD20/20, and Vine City 21.

Anyone remember Malt Duck?

In the mid 80s, we would drink Southern Comfort from paper cups at Oriole games. The alcohol would tend to unglue the cups so you had to drink it quickly.
We sat near Wild Bill's crowd so a fun time was had by all.

Blue Nun. At a Neal Young concert.

There was also that evening that involved backgammon and splitting a bottle of Sambuca. Sambuca isn't meant to be drunk from water glasses.

Even I know not to mix anything with lemon-lime diet Snapple. Use the sugared stuff, for the sake of the gods!

Sambuca is serious stuff. I can't believe you would drink it from water glasses. My head would have hurt for a week.

Sambuca from a water glass! Lissa, Fl Rob is right, my head would hurt for a week too - once I stopped praying to the porcelain god!

My most deadly episode ever involved Chambord shooters. Innocent sweet chambord can turn deadly on occasion.

When I was in college one of my professors and his wife invited a dozen students to hike to their cabin. They were serving Campari, straight. Gack! That's one way to ensure that people don't drink much.

My head would have hurt for a week.

Only if you sober up.

In the interest of full-circling, PETA....yet again at Corks...Yet again Police intervention.

I'm going to have to have dinner at Corks. Solidarity!

Nobody ever protests me. What, am I chopped liver?

It might interest some of you to know that the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ fest is this coming weekend at the Fairgrounds.

Cross-blog alert: John McI over at Wordville singles out this post for its creative swerves.

If I ran one of these protested restaurants, I would offer them a deal, every time they protested I would double the amount of foie on the menu, so how sensitive they are to those request. BTW at least those ducks are fed, unlike the possible conditions on the Eastern Shore. I would love to have their schedule of protest to go. . .lets say "socially interact" with them, while wearing a fur coat, eating duck fat fries sitting on a bar stool made of whale foreskin

BTW grey goose is horrible, it's well marketed, but does horrible in blind taste tests. Ketel 1, Stoli, and Vox are far superior, even smirnoff does better in the tests. Knob Creek, Makers Mark, Basil are great. I'm not a Jack fan but the single barrel and the gentleman jack are respectable

We wouldn't want uncreative swerves.

A better way to deal with the protesters, HHH, would be to send them out salads and either cold or hot drinks, depending on the season. Amazing how people calm down when they eat.

OK, now I have to go google "whale foreskin" to see what the deal is and I swear, hhh, if if set me up, I'll get back at you.

Well, here's a surprise. HHH has to disagree with me on a comment swerve from a week ago. Is this your way of telling me it's on? Cause the Lady Terps lost last night and I'm in a pretty ferocious mood this morning...

I don't know about whale foreskins, but when I was at the penis museum in Iceland, I did see a flower vase made out of a cured whale penis. They are long enough to use as a stool, but being as they are pointed, I'm not sure I'd want to sit on one.

Ok, Lissa. I held off all day figuring that someone at some point had to ask. The penis museum? What? That has to be one of the stangest things I've ever heard of! How many exhibits did this thing have?

Um, yes, the Icelandic Phallological Museum (link NSFW, probably). Not a place I was planning to visit, but the enthusiastic young man who was running the district museum insisted I go, and called Sigurður to have him open it for me.

It was quite informative and interesting. Plus my friends now have yet another thing to tease me about.

"...called Sigurður to have him open it for me".

OK, i'll bite. How long did that take?

Oh, he arranged an appointment at 2. The nice young man knew I was heading to the Whale Museum and lunch first.

Husavik, where the museum is, is a small fishing village known for being one of the best places on earth to go whale watching.

The yacht Cristina O, was so luxurious that the barstools were fabricated from whale foreskin, not the actual member. Why offer them a salad. If they're so concerned with the lives of these ducks ( which some eat better than some humans, forced or not) They wouldn't show up at my door in fear of the need for more lil duckys' livers. And it wasn't a slap at anyone's face except those that think Grey Goose is so great. Yeah couldn't believe the lady terps lost either

Ok, HHH, if you're bummed by the Lady Terps, I give you some props there. Welcome.

BTW, I don't think it's a queer thing (but maybe it is) but all this male genital talk is kinda icky.

And, also for those who can listen to internet radio at work Radio Paradise has been outstanding today. I'm listening to Jungle Land through my Sony noise reducing headphones and fighting the temptation to sing along!

I don't remember seeing foreskins on those whale willies.

How on earth did we get from PETA to penises?

Lissa, maybe because they took them all for use on the Christina O. Probably a lot of barstools. Big ones.

Just don't get your barstool excited.

I wonder what PETA thinks about circumcision of whales? Maybe if for religious preferences it would ok?

Joyce, I suspect PETA would be against it, but according to this, they are working on their furry policy now.

Oh brother! Lissa, "objectifying" animals??? But they can objectify women to make the point about not using fur? Give me a break!

Joyce? Notice the date on that article.

Gullibles Travels! Here I go again!

It is that time of year.