Well played, Kings fans…well played.
“What do you know about pie?!?”
More from Gram:
At Thanksgiving, my Grandmother was tasked with bringing a pie and Jello Mold (That only she eats. Because it’s Jello Mold).
Side note: The Lady made Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Pie [recipe], which was delicious. She actually made two, but we couldn’t find a box to carry both…so, we’ve been enjoying that second Pumpkin Pie between us. Good thing generic Lipitor® is on its way to the local Rite Aid.
My Grandmother has lived in a retirement community in South Jersey for over 20 years now. She still laments the lackluster food and shopping options in her area compared to the retail paradise she left behind in Paramus, NJ all those years ago.
It’s always:
“There’s no good [xyz cuisine] restaurant down here.”
or
“That place is shit.”
and most often
“Not like [that place in Paramus she used to go to 20 years ago].”
I don’t disagree — I always say the only part of Jersey that matters is north of Route 80 and east of Route 23 — and it’s still funny every time she says it. One could easily mistake the area around her development for parts of Tennessee. Still a good amount of farmland. Big chain strip malls. Nice, but not a ton going on. And, apparently, according to Gram, no place to get a decent pie.
After dinner, we resettle at the table for dessert. I sample a little of everything. Gram does the same, starting with a slice of the pie she brought. She went to a new bakery this time, “a German one,” she felt compelled to add. She takes a bite, dejectedly puts down her fork, and then asks me what I think of it.
Me: “It’s not bad!”
Grandma: [Defensively] “Ahh — what do you know about pie?!?”
Me: [Falls out of chair laughing].
I love her.
I love how defensive older people get about things from their history. And not the high-level things like “My [immigrant population] had it harder than [another immigrant population] when they first came to this country!” but mostly inconsequential things like “You don’t know what good dry cleaning is unless you’ve been to Cornwall’s on Cherry Street in Hackensack!”
And, I say older people, but we all do this, no? Older folks are perhaps just more steadfast and unfiltered in their opinions and more eager to express them outwardly. The way we’ll claim that place around the corner has the “best sandwich!” or “the best pizza!” compared to every. other. place in the world. The Lady calls me out all the time for this, saying I was “born a 75 year-old man.”
As much as I laugh, I really do appreciate not only the nostalgia, but the simple yearning for “something better.” The notion that “Pretty good is, in fact, pretty bad.” Perhaps the only thing my Grandmother is guilty of having and instilling in me is exquisite taste. In this regard, she would have gotten along famously with Steve Jobs. While some may say having such high standards for even the smallest details in life could become tedious, on the other hand, why settle? In life, especially as we grow older, may we all get a slice of the really good pie more often than not.
Thanks, Gram.
Related:
Chris Christie: Comedian, Pragmatist
But he has four children, ages 8 to 17, he will not abandon for presidential politics. When he visited a workaholic aide during her difficult labor before her daughter was born, he said, “Put away your BlackBerry, you are in the middle of a miracle.” As subtle as a linebacker, as direct as an uppercut, Christie, explaining why he will not run, demonstrates why many wish he would. When supporters argue, “You can’t say you’re not ready — look at Obama,” he replies: “Yeah, look at him.”
Hilarious!
Jersey Pride
Speaking of jukeboxes, funny story:
I went to school in New Orleans.
One night at my neighborhood bar, I walked up to the jukebox to make a selection. As I was standing there, a girl approached me and started flirting. Someone — not me — had previously put on a Springsteen or Bon Jovi song, which started playing while we were talking. I made a comment about Jersey, where I’m from, proudly.
Her (who I learned was from Northern Louisiana):
[Sarcastically]. “Hahaha, you’re from Jersey…What, uh, ‘turnpike are you on the highway?’”
Me:
“You mean ‘What exit am I on the Parkway?’
Her:
“Oh yeah, haha…that.”
Me:
“Get the hell away from me.”
I don’t care if she was hot (she wasn’t). If you’re gonna dis on Jersey, at least get your insult right.
![nationalfootballleague:
“I knew I’d get one shot to do this in my life. One opportunity. I’m just an average guy. I’m not for everybody. The only thing I know how to do is coach. For a while, no one had the guts to give us a shot. But [owner] Woody Johnson and [GM] Mike Tannenbaum did, and you know it hasn’t been easy. I’m not perfect. I’ve put them through some hard times this year; you know that. I’m not going to apologize for who I am.”
- New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Rex Ryan — The Chris Christie of Football.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lf9kp0E6lA1qa1apeo1_500.jpg)
“I knew I’d get one shot to do this in my life. One opportunity. I’m just an average guy. I’m not for everybody. The only thing I know how to do is coach. For a while, no one had the guts to give us a shot. But [owner] Woody Johnson and [GM] Mike Tannenbaum did, and you know it hasn’t been easy. I’m not perfect. I’ve put them through some hard times this year; you know that. I’m not going to apologize for who I am.”
- New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Rex Ryan — The Chris Christie of Football.
N.J. Gov. Christie approves toughest anti-bullying law in the country
It will require training for most public school teachers, administrators and other employees on how to spot bullying and mandate that all districts form a “school safety team” to review complaints. School districts would be graded by the state on their efforts to combat the problem.
Administrators who do not investigate reported incidents of bullying would be disciplined, while students who bully could be suspended or expelled. School employees would also be required to report all incidents they learn of, whether they took place in or outside of school.
The bill, in the works for almost a year, gained publicity and momentum after the suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, whose roommate streamed a romantic encounter between him and another man over the internet.
It seems like all people from Jersey do is hump and punch each other.
From South Park - “It’s a Jersey Thing”
Let me tell you this…you know what? It’s people who raise their voices, and yell and scream like you that are dividing this country. We’re here to bring this country together, not to divide it.
The pragmatic NJ Governor Chris Christie to a heckler at a political rally for California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman in Los Angeles, September 23, 2010.
Source: News 12 New Jersey
Spring 2010 New York City Tri-State Area Crawfish Boil Events Calendar
It’s that time of year again!
Come one, come all.
Nothin’ better than a tray full of mud bugs and a cold beer.
No shortage of events and locations.
Upcoming events (click though links for more information and to buy tickets):
LSUNY Alumni Annual Crawfish Boil
Saturday, May 15, 1-4 PM @ Pier 66 Maritime, West 26th Street at the Hudson River, NYC
Tickets $65 in advance, $80 at the door (if available)
All you can eat crawfish & jambalaya
All you can drink Abita beer, wine, water, soda included
Johnny Ace and Sidewalk Zydeco will be entertaining the crowd!
The boil sold out last year so get your tickets early, there is no guarantee that tickets will be available at the door.
CrawfishNY 5th Annual Crawfish Boil Fundraiser
Two day event!
Saturday, May 15 (rain date May 22), 4-8 PM @ SOLAR1, 2420 FDR Service Road East, NYC
Sunday, May 16 (rain date May 23), 3-7 PM @ SOLAR1, 2420 FDR Service Road East, NYC
Tickets $75 and must be purchased in advance
This year we will be raising money for the organization, Kids Need A Melody, dedicated to providing free music classes, instruments and concerts to young children living in the shelter system.
Loyola University New Orleans New York City Alumni Association Crawfish Boil
Saturday, May 15, 2-5 PM @ Parkside Lounge, 317 East Houston Street bet Ave B & C), NYC
Tickets $35
Includes crawfish, corn, potatoes, cornbread, and cash bar with $3 Abita and Hurricane drink specials.
Live music by Zulu Kings starts at 3:30
Tulane University Alumni Club of NYC Boat Basin Crawfish Boil
Saturday, June 5, 2-5 PM @ Boat Basin, West 79th Street at the Hudson River, NYC
Tickets $35 in advance, $15 per child ages 6-12, free for children 5 and under
Tickets $50 at the door, $25 per child ages 6-12, free for 5 and under, if not sold out
Includes unlimited crawfish and Abita beer
The Redhead 3rd Annual Crawfish Boil
Sunday June 6, 1-10 PM or until we run out @ The Redhead, 349 East 13th Street, NYC
$30 per plate of crawfish, sausage, corn, potato, artichoke, and roasted garlic
Beer & drink specials, bar opens at noon
No Reservations. First Come, First Seated
Michael Arnone’s 21st Annual Crawfish Fest
A 3-day Louisiana and New Orleans style music, food, and camping festival!
Friday-Sunday June 4-6 @ Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ
See site for exact ticket pricing and info, as you are able to purchase for one day, the weekend, etc. Start at $35 per day.
Full selection of Louisiana style cuisine available at the festival. Menu here.
Aware of any others in the area? Let me know in the comments.
Spread the word and Happy Eatin’!
