Religion and Diet, what you need to know about what you can or can not or might or might not be able to eat. Thanks Eatocracy!

MUSIC – Grab Bag – Going Global

Consider these songs to be classified under “oldies” (for the most part)… in other parts of the world. How I came across these songs, is still a mystery to me. But, with the exception of the Czech Republic, after listening to these tunes, now I have to go to these places.

But hey, let’s not kid ourselves here. I’ve always been a wanderer at heart…

Full disclosure, I do not speak the languages, however I like the sound. That being said, what is sung could be incredibly beautiful, downright offensive or simply confusing. But that is the risk we take when we listen to music from other countries and cultures.

Oddities at the Farmer’s Market

Usually on a weekend, you’ll find me at one of two places during the day, the range or the farmer’s market. Hungover or not. So while perusing the aisles, I came across this racist little oddity.

Lasagna: a Labor of Love? Absolutely not.

Lasagna is about as ubiquitous as pizza and terrible drivers. So of course when searching the Internets, you’ll find everything and anything… from Simply Recipes’ Lasagna to this…

That being said, I decided to embark on a lasagna adventure myself. Since there are so many different recipes and I am too lazy to explore the history and methodology behind lasagna, I decided to wing it from what I’ve read and my understanding of a kitchen.

I will tell you now, at least for me, this is a time consuming process. Holy shit, it felt like it took forever. So go ahead, take a shot of bourbon and chase it with a beer. Get some tunes ready…

So your here are your ingredients for your very own Maxafterdark’s Lasagna:

RAINY DAY – Spirits

“Rainy day” is a wonderful idiom that has been used throughout the ages. It is a hold out, a “just in case” for many of us. Whether that be the total destruction of planet earth or McDonalds runs out of french fries, there are just too many reasons things can go to hell in a hand basket.

For our parents and elders, it meant keeping dry stores of food, extra supplies and more importantly, money (cut that hole in the mattress, those greenbacks are safer there than those damn banks).

For me and some of my contemporaries, the need to save doesn’t rely so much on the dollar or for even tangible supplies/knowledge (despite the fact that we should all know how to plant an edible crop).

It may not be monetary in value, but it is still worth it. So that being said, here are two items I have saved, for quite sometime, only to use, “when the time calls for it”…

MUSIC – GRAB BAG – Songs I Wish I Heard In An Elevator

For most it is a convenient means of travel from one floor to another. But for a small minority, it could be an awkward opportunity to talk to an individual. For even an larger group, it is a place where they can hold a conversation over the phone that, inexplicably, they want everyone to hear.

As for me, I like to hear music, and what happened to the good old days of elevator music?

Sure we can all listen to our Discmans, Rios and iPods. But for me I’d like to hear music that all elevator riders can enjoy/hate. That being said here are some elevator songs I would be happy to hear:

WANT – Finger Puppets

Unemployed Philosophers - Albert Einstein

The Unemployed Philosopher’s Guild – Magnetic Personalities

Finger puppets are an unusual oddity. As apparel for each individual finger (sorry thumbs, where I’m from, we say “well you’re shit out of luck”), you can’t find anything more elaborate than these.

Amateur Photographer: A Night In Atlanta

A lot could be said about this photo.

Part of the Atlanta skyline can be made out from the background. A dressed up girl walking down a side walk towards a destination unknown. Parallel to aforementioned girl, a line of camping tents (obviously unusual for the area, there ain’t no Apple store around).

Also, I am no photographer.

To clarify, said girl is a dear friend of mine (a wonderful serial dater, which I will elaborate on at a later date, I still need to get permission to document those shenanigans). The sidewalk, was right by the AT&T building, and those tents were what we suspected was the remnants of the Atlanta Occupy movement.

Should there have been no context, I am curious to see what would have been the commentary on this randomly taken photo.

FAST FOOD: Taco Bell’s “Locos Tacos”

Not to long ago, Taco Bell introduced their new marketing campaign:

Now, we all know that we should “live more”. And the irony is not lost on me that Taco Bell (“T-Bell”) of all companies is trying to advocate this. This isn’t to knock T-Bell. In fact, T-Bell was a safe haven for many of us during our younger years.

San Francisco: I Wore No Flowers In My Hair, But I Did Meet Some Awesome People (Part Two)

Now if you watched Forrest Gump or lived your formative years in the 60s, Scott McKenzie’s lyrics should come to you.

As I continued my adventures through the city, I found myself meandering around more of the touristy parts of town. But as it goes, there is always something entertaining… like this one man band.

Now I’ll admit, I’m a huge fan of street performers; musicians, magicians, fortune tellers, that guy that mugged me… but I will say, damn this man knew his craft. Microphone, harmonica, guitar, snare drum, tambourine… the dude had it all.

What songs did he sing? Funny you ask, I do not remember, but perhaps if you’re by the cable car stand on Market and Powell, perhaps you’ll see him and can find out for me.

You dream lives on good sir!

Photo by O.C. Knox

Now, of course all this drums up an appetite (there’s a lot of hills, and I’m too cheap to take a cab). So of course I could do the “foodie” thing (pretension and all) or I go to a fast food chain. Yes sir, fast food.