Keeping promises

Not my experience with Yoga but there were some similarities

With Thanksgiving as a signpost towards Christmas and eventually the New Year, it seems an unlikely day to check off a resolution that I made for 2012. Let’s be honest, who even remembers their New Year’s Resolution by St. Patrick’s Day? A slim few, most have forgotten them before heart-shaped box of candies are swallowed before the Altar of Honey-Boo-Boo but nevertheless, I checked something off my list I thought I’d never do: I participated in a Yoga Class.
“Don’t worry if you can’t do all of the poses, just do what you can,” said my instructor, Theresa Conroy, owner of Yoga On The Ridge.
Conroy, a former Daily News scribe, opened her yoga studio a few years ago. She recently moved its location to Domino La this year. She and some mutual friends had often repeatedly asked me to join in taking the class. I relented until a few days before Thanksgiving when I received Theresa’s Newsletter that offered Thanksgiving Day class for only $10. For $10? Why not? I had nothing else planned except an evening of awkward silences, superficial conversation and moderate gluttony.
Theresa was definitely surprised to see me.
It has been a year of great highs and lows. I had finally overcome seizures that had been plaguing me since the summer of 2011 and therefore received by Driver’s License. I had become gainfully employed again. I had been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and my therapy had made me more energetic to the point where I try to exercise regularly.  But there are always two sides to every coin. My mother is fighting cancer that has metastasized to her lungs and liver. She had lost an eye to melanoma the previous year. I was also dealing with some more immediate repercussions regarding my own tactless nature that may destroy a friendship. So taking a yoga class couldn’t hurt.
Now, I realize that there are a multiple of Yoga styles. Theresa’s style is “kind of a hybrid--mostly Vinyasa, with a good smattering of Iyengar and Core Strength Vinyasa.” (I don’t know what any of that means either.)
So what is it like to take Theresa’s class? Well, if anyone remembers warm-up stretches before sports practice; it’s kind of like that but in Very, VERY slow motion. The class was heavily attended. I placed my purple mat near the front. I realized that this meant that many in the class would see my posterior (upon which IMAX films could be screened), but I think it sexy enough compared to others that are out there.  My spot was also near a wall. This was advantageous since I am built like a Weeble-Wobble but unlike that particular toy, I will roll over anytime. (And I almost did a couple times.)
While I was taking the yoga class, I noticed how warm the room was but also the calming mix of music was interesting. I often play Genesis when I am relaxing.
I learned holding some of these poses was hard. My arms shook with effort to hold my body up at times. My knees still hurt for a few days afterward. I also learned trying not to look at the curves of soccer moms and dads was even harder. (Note to self: Next time I do yoga, I wear sunglasses.)
Often Theresa would mention “Since it’s Thanksgiving, we are going to…” which I think was an excuse to be easy on us or she just was not fussed on doing her regular poses either; which is naturally understandable since this often a day off for working stiffs (with one or two exceptions).  As an added bonus, she even asked the class to participate in a chant, something she never usually does but since this was Thanksgiving…
During this chant, I devised a theory that the English decided to conquer the Indian subcontinent (and the Welsh) not just for shear spite, gold, glory and in search of sunshine but also that they believed that these cultures used far too many syllables to name things and that was just not cricket.
During the cool down phase, I felt like I melted into the floor. I had never felt so relaxed before.
Theresa read Howard Thurman’s poem, “Blessings At Year End’. A piece of which resonated with my and soothed my disturbed emotions that day:

“I remember the new people I have met, from whom I
Have caught glimpses of the meaning of my own life
and the true character of human dignity.

I remember the dreams that haunted me during the
Year, keeping me ever mindful of goals and hopes
which I did not realize but from which I drew
inspiration to sustain my life and keep steady my
purposes.”

Will I return to the yoga mat for another session? The 2013 resolutions have not been written. We’re waiting for the Mayans to clear their calendar.

Overbooking the Social Calendar

I took a fashion tip from Jeremy Clarkson for this event.

Yet again, it seems my calendar is filling quicker than is possible to handle. But this usually happens in the Autumn…at least, I won’t have to run six blocks in a suit this time to perform on stage at a local theater then go to a nearby dance. Only a regretful decline is necessary. And is there enough to regret but so much more to enjoy.

With Oktoberfest (actually in SEPTEMBER) as a primer, October is when events get into high gear before the Holiday Season is upon us. With the political scene in high gear due to the Presidential election, things get really busy.

Already this month, I’ve been to a debate party; a Memorial fundraiser for Philadelphia Police officers and just recently, I tried some two Guinness varieties now available on the American market.

Today alone has no less than THREE events that range from a 25^th Anniversary Celebration in Manayunk, a Concert at the Kimmel Center with the after-party scheduled for XIX at the Bellevue and a Hendricks Gin event in Old City.

Garnish with veggies not citrus

On the plus side, the man playing the Kimmel Center, Jeff Bradshaw, I have seen one multiple occasions at various venues. If you’ve not seen him live, get out there. Or better yet, if you’re an R&B fan, buy his album. It’s quite pleasant. So I can skip that event without him being too mad. The only draw for me is to be in the Kimmel Center which I have yet to enter, but there is plenty of time.

The Anniversary celebration I’m a little saddened to be not attending. It marks the 25^th year of Jake’s Restaurant and Bruce Cooper’s investment in Manayunk’s Main St. I’ve gotten to know Bruce from my time at the paper but his reputation stretched into my early days working in Derek Davis’ restaurants while going to high school, then college. Many waiters that I worked with used to hold Jake’s as a model of how a restaurant should be run.  Now Bruce has Jake’s and Cooper’s Wine Bar and neither disappoint.

Bruce personally reached out to me last night to invite me to the celebration tonight. I will certainly try to stop by later in the evening.

Like drinking a peat bog...SMOKY!

But the event I will be attending involves an unusual kind of gin. I first had Kendrick’s while interviewing Sandra Day and the late Jim Wiest after the Delaware Valley Opera Company were forced out of their 20-year home in Fairmount Park. Jim served me a full glass of Hendrick’s with some ice and a slice of cucumber. No water, no tonic. Straight gin. I have been a fan ever since.

Those who know me know that once I give my word, I carry through. So when a friend asked me to join her for this Hendrick’s event, I accepted. Dinner in Old City then a “Voyage into the Unusual”; should be an interesting evening after all.

 

Update: I have just been invited by another friend to an Ardbeg event on Delaware Ave on Tuesday. Apparently, there will be a rocket involved. I wonder if Dan Dare or Buck Rogers will be there.

This is MY cigar

Yes, I own that sweatervest and I wore jeans on the golf course.

Yes. I made a cigar. Well, strictly speaking, I blended it. I am thrilled that it has been a VERY popular item in my local cigar shop. As a cigar aficionado, it is a culmination of something or other. It was all luck to be honest. Luck to get a spot on a trip to Honduras to start.  Here is what I wrote in my diary of that trip:

I had a definite blend in mine. Many worked from the inside out. I went the opposite way. I saw the wrapper I wanted and went from there. I wanted a cigar with a candela wrapper but was also full of flavor and distinct body. The candela wrapper was all the rage in the middle of last century. It was a distinctly green color from the captured chlorophyll because the leaf is picked early. It is seldom seen nowadays with only a few top brand names carrying them. (Fuente makes an 8-5-8 in a candela.) The wrapper was paying homage to my late grandfather who smoked Lord Beaconsfield Rounds, a short filler cigar in a candela (called Double Claro) wrapper. Even this cigar no longer comes in Candela. It is very mild but I find and earthy nuttiness to it. One of my friends compared it to "smoking spinach leaves."
To give my cigar some flavor, I chose to two ligero (full-bodied) fillers and smoothed it out with a seco filler (mild) and chose a viso (medium-bodied) binder to polish it off. My only hope was that this cigar wouldn't taste awful. Many of the guys made their cigars very full bodied, one made it very mild. Their choices included maduro wrappers or even wrappers from Cameroon. (Yes, Tobacco can grow almost everywhere.)
My recipe came as a surprise to everyone including Gustavo, the quality control manager who asked out loud, "Who the hell ordered the candela wrapper?"

I really do not miss the mustache

Not once but TWICE has my local shop sold out of this cigar. What made it even more interesting was that only recently that other cigar companies (outside of the Fuentes) have been pushing Candela wrappers. Only today, a friend looking for a good cigar said, “I’m looking for a ‘Bernard Scally’”. I gave him one of my small stash. Doubt I’ll be doing that anymore since I don’t know when more will come in.

National Pride

When asked about my television habits, I often tell them the truth. I really do not watch a lot of television. But I guess it is now time to confess why. There is only one event that I truly enjoy watching: The Olympic Games. Debate what you will about the commercialism and controversy all you like. While I’m still not happy about professional athletes creeping their way into the events, I am an unabashed fan of both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. No other event glues me to my TV. Some of my earliest memories is watching the Games; cheering Team USA in hockey or the Luge in Albertville with my father or in Track & Field in Barcelona.

As I write this, I am slightly jealous of my parents. They are currently in London for the 2012 Summer Games. This is the second Olympic Games that they have attended. They were also witness to the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. To be at the Olympic Games is certainly on my personal Bucket List.

Some of my fondest memories involve the Olympics in some way or another such as visiting Lake Placid during a summer holiday with my family, walking down the sled run, learning the evolution of bobsled design or discovering how many Olympic rowers were produced right here in Philadelphia. My family and I also went to the Ice Rink where Team USA beat the USSR then went on to win the Gold Medal. We watched as figure skaters practiced their routines.

As a child, when we had the original Nintendo Entertainment System, my father and I played ‘Ice Hockey’ during the Winter Games. He was always Team USA while I was either: Canada, Sweden, Czechoslovakia or the USSR.

We watch the dramatic stories of peoples’ desires to be an Olympian that sometimes lead to strange actions; such as Nancy Kerrigan & Tonya Harding rivalry with the twist that both were to be beaten by the younger Ukranian Oksana Baiul. I teared up when Muhammad Ali lit the torch in Atlanta 1996. I cheered when Usain Bolt (an apt name for a sprinter, if there was one.) demolished the World Record and threw his gold-colored shoes.

It was always exciting to see as World Records fell, no matter what country the athlete was from. During 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, I stood in bar and watched people scream and shout has Michael Phelps won his 6^th Gold Medal of the Games surpassing Mark Spitz. There was much hugging and celebration among strangers as our representatives at these Games made history.

Watching the Games inspired me to learn different sports, it inspired me to learn fencing while I was at university. I certainly gained a deeper appreciation for the sport while I learned what the training involved.

This year will be no different. I will be glued to my television set; with the added bonus of DVR to get specific sports that I want to watch when I’m not able to see them. Join me as we cheer on the world. I look forward to discussing the events with everyone. After these Games are over, my quota and tolerance for television will be full.  At least, until the next Games.

A cheeky pint or several

I love beer. I guess no more needs to be said but this time things are a bit different. I have written about beer and beer events now and again except this is probably the first time I have attended one after the onset of my present medical condition. (Having seizures in public is rather embarrassing and can be costly without insurance.) Having taken Saturday off in preparation for the annual Philadelphia University Fashion Show, I strolled down to Main St. for a bit of lunch. Checking my mobile social media device, I learned that some friends were attending the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant''s 14th Annual Brew Fest. Not having been to the establishment since New Years Eve, I figured 'why not?'
Thankfully, I could still  purchase tickets at the door. This worried me because usually an event like this is sold out days before. The weather could partially be to blame since it was overcast and slightly chilly most of the days (with an all too brief period of sunshine).
"I would have liked to have sold 150 to 200 more tickets," said owner Mike Rose. "But you what, there can be a brew fest every week nowadays. When we first started this event, this place was packed because we were the only ones doing something like this."
(Disclosure: I originally bought a 'designated driver's' ticket for $25. Although, I could have gone for free, courtesy of Mike Rose, I believe that it was right to pay because it was a last minute decision. Eventually, my friends broke down my resolve and I tasted a few of the brews despite a large 'X' written on my hand.)
The crowd filled the outside deck where many breweries were located but it was not too hard to navigate through the crowd. Ticket holders received a food voucher, gift certificate for a 32 or 64oz Growler (with purchase to fill said growler) and $10 off coupon (if you spent more than $30).
"It's a good enough crowd for people to get through the event and not be uncomfortable and when they go home they can say that they had a nice time," said Rose.
Guests had plenty to choose from such as the sweet, summery flavor of Lancaster Brewing Co.'s Strawberry Wheat to the ticklishly pleasant Good N' Evil Golden Ale from Evil Genius Brewing Co. and so much in between. Homebrewers were also a part of the event bringing up their interpretations of India Brown Ale, Kolsch and India Pale Ales. But despite proper planning, there was plenty of blink-or-you'll-miss-it offerings.
Sly Fox's famous Renard D'Or disappeared in TWO minutes.
With all that was offered, my friends were a little deflated because there were so few standouts. Many brewers brought their main menu items but nothing that seemed to excite my friends.
"If you are coming to a brew festival, even if you have stuff that we like at least bring one item to excite us," said my friend.

Photo: Bernard J. Scally

Bring the Bento

Last week proved to be interesting. After some more paperwork including a press pass application for the City of Philadelphia and other tax forms, I was out covering stories. This one about the Food Co-Op will hopefully prove to be something big, real big. I often feel cynical about certain initiatives but I really think that this one will be great for the neighbor and has some real momentum.
After that event, I went to Deke's BBQ. You may remember as The Garage, the place where I met the late, lamented Phillies sportscaster Harry Kalas. Tucked away next to the Ugly Moose, off of Shurs La., Deke's serves a filling BBQ menu and a killer Pecan Pie. By sheer luck, I met up with some journalistic colleagues there and had a great time, despite a "hockey" game going on around us.
Speaking of make-overs, I stepped into Dream House Asian Bistro today. New owners took over the old Jade Court last year and realized a overhaul and facelift were long overdue.
Jade Court served mediocre/standard Chinese Takeaway fare. I have only two distinct memories of the joint. Once, in my high school years, my friends and I trekked across a frozen Ridge Ave in a snow storm to satisfy our collect craving for MSG and carbohydrates. We got to the old parking lot on Lyceum Ave. and ate right out of the carton.
My second memory is not so pleasant. My co-worker and I ordered lunch from there once. Neither one of us could come into work the next day for symptoms I refuse to describe here. So I never ordered from there again, despite it being so close to the office.
But sometimes, you got to take the plunge and see if change is for the good.
Immediately, I noticed there was a difference when I ordered. I was informed that lunch was served as a Bento Box and I would receive entree, garden salad, two crab rangoon, 6-piece California Roll, cup of soup and steamed rice.That is what I got. Perfect portion size for the worker on the go and very filling. The Sesame Chicken was standard flavor but not drowning in sauce. The California Roll was also standard but enjoyable. I was a little concerned about mixing hot and cold foods but that is the nature of the box where you are ording as a take out.
A quick glance of the interior showed that the new owners really put the facade of the old Jade Court behind them. There is a whole sushi bar with chef in attendance. But only tomorrow will tell me if their cooking as truly improved...and if I will eat there again. IF all goes well, I'll be sitting in for Bento or Sushi soon.

UPDATE: I survived with any problems, we'll certainly be ordering from Dream House soon.

Photo: Bernard J. Scally

Moment of silence

I was going to spend time talking about how it is great to start my second tour at the old firm and discuss the merger of the Catholic parishes but my heart is just not in it right now. (I can also save those topics for later this week.) It seems that every silver lining must have a cloud. I learned today that one of my colleagues from my firm's division died today. Her name was Emily Morris. Though I did not work with her very much or for very long, we got along very well.

You can read the details of her passing here.
I send my condolences to her family, friends and fellow colleagues who knew her better.
Montgomery Media loses a great staff member. Journalism lost a shining light. RIP Emily Morris