Dec
30

Parking

Even though most of my driving career has been here in the United States, I first learn the ways of the road in Colombia. While I still get a little shocked when I first drive there, parking there is actually too different to even include on this post. Lets just say that in most places you park you have to know people or the tourist thing will happen. You have to see Slumdog Millionaire to get this reference.

I learned how to parallel park in Chicago, and even though I am out of practice I can get my car into some pretty tight spots. Parking last night at 75th Street Brewery was a pain because the lot was full, so I got lucky and found a street parking spot where I would not be towed. Wait… no… just ticketed. That is when I realized something, I am super paranoid about getting towed.

I probably have seemed rude in the past here in Kansas City when in a suburb I park on their driveway when visiting them. In the Chicago area parking is a big ordeal. You have to have a city sticker allowing you to park there over night. However, just visiting friends can result on being towed or getting a ticket. After seeing my Dad get towed and having to pay a hefty fine to get the car back I became paranoid. These is one of those ordeals you do not forget and neither does your wallet because it can be more than $200 bucks down the drain.

I have to get out of the mode of parking on people’s driveways and just park on the street since there is no danger of being towed on the suburbs over here. You rarely have to even parallel park.

Dec
15

Laugh while I’m out

Friday night I actually went Karaoke… and for the second time in my life I actually got up there and sang with Chimpotle… there is a video of it, but you have to talk to Sponge about getting it posted. I am sure Spyder will have the full details on the fun.

Has everyone seen the Bush shoe incident?

Where was the secret service dude that was supposed to take the bullet for the president? how did the guy get to do two? Is ALL the secret service taking care of Obama and leaving Bush alone? … someone is going to get a talking to.

You have to love Bush’s reflexes, almost like this has happened before… did he have to defend himself from things flying at him before?

And to think that a pretzel almost took him fro us!

Also, tomorrow at 10:00 A.M. I will be in surgery! Prayers and good thoughts welcome :) and also remember to be good to Bea :) I will be passed out and getting cut and lazered (is that a word?)… she will be the one awake and worried. If you have my cell number, you also have hers, just change the last digit to 5. I should be out of surgery around noon.

Nov
24

Need a date?

I love being part of this organization!

Don’t miss the 2008 Singles Auction benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters! In 2007, over 400 people attended this great event and it was the most talked about charity event for weeks.

KC Magazine has selected 24 of the hottest singles in Kansas City to auction off once-in-a-lifetime date packages.

These date packages are great for a group of friends, a married couple looking for a great outing or a single looking to mingle!

Regardless, whether you plan to bid or not, join us for the best party in Kansas City.

Advance tickets are $25 and tickets at the door are $35. So be sure to purchase early.
Tickets include 2 drink tickets and entrance into the auction.
VIP Tables also available.
After Party will be held at Mosaic. First come, first serve.

Click here to check out the Singles being auctioned off and their amazing date packages.

Sep
04

Kansas City World Famous?

At least today. I tune into my morning news source, the BBC World Service, and I hear not just Kansas City being mentioned, but even Funkhouser’s grave digger’s voice. Take a listen to the piece centered around the Mayor’s plan to make the city more bicycle friendly. The whole time I was wondering if one of the people along for the ride was a blogger…

Jul
31

Colombian restaurant again

Having blogger friends is awesome, Toast gave me a little information @ last weeks meet up that has made Kansas City my favorite city again, El Rincon Colombian its still Colombian owned.

When Bea and I had the shock of being greeted by “Banda” when we entered the Colombian restaurant in our last visit there, I was devastated. I have nothing against Mexican brass music, I even like some of it and will dance to it… but it is like walking into your favorite piano bar and being faced with a dude playing the banjo.

A lot of the traditional Colombian plates require either a deep fryer or long preparation. While I have made some of those dishes from scratch before, it becomes a game of picking which ones you have time to do.

Back in Chicago my Mom gets together with my sister and they make awesome Empanadas, but they take them hours of preparations to do. The only thing Bea and I get to do at home in a regular basis is Arepas, which we got Mike addicted to during his visit here.

Having a place where I can go and satisfy a craving for comfort food from my country is important. One of the many reasons why living in Michigan sucked so much was the lack of good restaurants, specially not a Colombian one unless you drove all the way to Chicago.

Think about living in a country, I know Melinda can probably relate, and craving good old KC BBQ and baked beans, or even just a plain old thick cheeseburger with fries. Just the cornbread made here in the US is completely different than anywhere in the world. Think of not being able to be reduced to craving Dominos pizza because it is the only thing available overseas that is even close to what you are used to savoring when you think pizza.

I am happy to inform you all the the owner is back from being out of town. It is a new owner, but he is Colombian and was out of the country getting married. He apologized for my experience when I went to visit my favorites spot on the west side, and assured me that he will take care of us if we go back as a blogger group again. Wookie does not know it, but he will be dragged out there soon, and I know Average Jane is ready for a trip back, we need to set that up… but just let me know when you are ready to get your Colombia fix.

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