Saint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren, Belgium

Meghan and I are heading to Europe in May. A couple of days in Paris, and a couple of days in Brussels.

Why Brussels, you ask?

Zane Lamprey and his show Three Sheets (now available on Hulu.com) on the Mojo Network.

Long and short of, there is a scene in the Brussels episode (watch here) where he visits the Delirium Cafe and is treated to many of the 2000+ beers on the menu. At one point, he is shown, not allowed to drink, share the name, or show the label of one local Abbey’s beer.

Our goal was to find that beer (And, who wouldn’t want to visit a place where the local hang-over cure is Belgium chocolate?).

iPhone Travel… the recap…

I realized I never updated my travel with the iPhone.

I did ditch the laptop for just the iPhone on my trip to Spring Training in Phoenix.

I loaded my 8GB iPhone with 3 movie rentals from iTunes (Blades of Glory, Harry Potter #5, Michael Clayton). 2 audiobooks. All my podcasts. And a slimmed down music library.

I bought 2 sets of test headphones (Bose In-ear and Shure in-ear). The Shure headphones never made the trip, the wouldn’t fit the iPhone without an adapter.

I bought an iPod airplane charger because www.seatguru.com told me that there was a power outlet on the plane I was flying on, and at the seat where I was sitting. I couldn’t find it. And I didn’t need it, with the plane in airplane mode, there is plenty of juice to watch a 2 hour movie.

I also bought a hard case for the iPhone that has an easel back, so I could prop it up on the tray table. The angle was a little off, but better than holding it for 2 hours.

All-in-all, I never missed my laptop.

Email: checked.
Podcasts: listened to.
Movies: watched (2 out of 3).
Audiobooks: never got to.
Music. Enjoyed while waiting for my ride.
Directions: thanks Google Maps.
Photos: taken (check out my web galley).

I think I may have found the perfect replacement for my laptop. Next test: Europe.

Visiting Chi-town…

Well I made it to Chicago to visit my brother with no problem. Did the drive in about 5 hours. Checked out Mike’s place, nice small little basement apartment. His roommate is currently out of town, so I get a bed, which will be nice. Just played Madden ‘08. Jets (me) vs Texans (him). 42-26, I think the score was. I kicked his a$$. ha ha! take that.

Off to get some food and more drink. Then Cubs v. Cardinals tomorrow, if it doesn’t get rained out.

Vacation: Frankfort, Michigan

Meghan and I had a nice little vacation back in July, lazy me finally getting around to posting about it. My parents have been renting a cottage up in Frankfort, Michigan for many years, at least since sister Megan was born in 1992.

Anyway, some 400+ miles from Cleveland, is this little town of Frankfort.

It was a nice little weekend, just a Thu-Sun.

Started reading Michael Crichton’s latest book, NeXT. Meghan whipped through Harry Potter 7 in about 6 hours after I picked it up at midnight from the local independent book store. The dogs were at “doggie sleep-away camp.”

Here are some photos:

Looking out to Betsey Lake from Elberta

Matthew after sailing on Crystal Lake

Point Betsey light house

Sunset over Lake Michigan

Phoenix: The Epilogue

I have been back from Phoenix now for a week. 90 degree weather. cloudless skies. Why did I come home to 20-30 degree weather. more snow. ugh.

Aside from all that my visit to Phoenix was great. Eric and Nicole were gracious enough to offer me a bed in their–very pink–guest room.

Eric and I took in 2 baseball games: MIL vs AZ and SF vs SEA. Both games had the home team come from behind to win (MIL and SF). We saw $40M+ free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan get lit up by AZ young no-name lineup. We saw Barry Bonds not only strike out his first at-bat, but also talk smack to the umpire on his way back to the dugout. We also noticed that he has zero interest in running to first base on a single, and even less interest moving to second base on his teammate’s base hit.

I predict now. If he hits 756 HRs, he will retire the next day. He doesn’t care about fans, teammates, or even the game of baseball.

Saturday night we went to see Darrell Hammond at the Tempe Improv. Damn he was funny. But had to high on something. Eric and I both ruled out coke. Darrell claimed he has given up alcohol. He didn’t acted stoned. So he was either on E, speed, or — Eric’s favorite — oxycontin. Either way, damn funny comedian, and worth the price of admission.

The Pink Taco:

Yes, in center field, there was a banner for Pink Taco. SO naturally, we had to go visit after the game. We had a pitcher of margaritas, and by far the worst tasting mexican food I have ever eaten. But for $40, the pitcher did its job. I was in a happy place.

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