Friday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Friday:
Friday:
Friday:
Friday:
Friday:
Friday:
Workshop turning pens
Apple cupcakes
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work about 2 hours
Drop stuff at mom's
Workshop turning pens
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work about 2 hours
Nap
Drop stuff at mom's
Stop at Spec's
Reading
Workshop - prep for pens
Saturday:
Blueberry pancakes
Grocery trip
Mow under long hedge
Workshop turning pens
Leather painting work
Reading
Beef enchiladas
Kitchen bread
Pound cake
"Pirate Radio"
Sunday:
Pepperweed hedge work
Reading
Grill steaks
Print out workshop apron pattern
Beauty and the Beast
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work about 2 hours
Drop stuff at mom's
Stop at Spec's
Nap
Haircut
Reading
Workshop - prep for ceiling fan pulls
Saturday:
Workshop turning ceiling fan pulls
Workshop prepping toothpick holder blanks
Reading
Pick up Joe's BBQ
Back to the Future
Iron Man 2
Sunday:
Blueberry pancakes
Clean out oak tress from hedge
Kitchen Bread
Chocolate chip cookies
Chicken enchiladas with green sauce
Iron Man 3
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work about 2 hours
Banana bread
Lemon pound cake
Drop stuff at mom's
HEB
Saturday:
Worked on notebook cover
Reading
Sunday:
Italian bread
Nap
Lasagna
Reading
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work about 2 hours
Worked on Bison Mail Bag
Did some prep for small turning items
Saturday:
Worked on Bison Mail bag (7.5 hours)
Kitchen bread
Sunday:
Blueberry pancakes
Nap
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Reading
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work about 2 hours
Drop by mom's pick up her problematic phone
Picked up beer
Mowing, etc for 2+ hours
Spaghetti sauce
Ale & Poolish bread
Banana bread
Saturday:
Worked on Bison Messenger bag
Worked on mom's phone
Did some leatherwork
Returned phone to mom
Ordered more parts for messenger bag
Sunday:
Slept until almost 8 a.m.
Puzzle work
Nap
Worked on Band saw
Resawed some Osage Orange
Worked on treat bag for Kat
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work a half hour
Drop by mom's to drop of birthday cake and pick up taxes (social distancing obeyed)
Worked on face masks
Picked up Flex from McRee
Work on new stairs for Jack
Worked on Hawaiian rolls and Kitchen Bread
Saturday:
Covered new stairs in canvas
More face masks
Yojimbo (Kirosawa movie)
Cut out templates to be able to do Bison Messenger Bag
Sunday:
Slept until almost 9 a.m.
Nap
Read Bujold novelette
Started Scarborough/McCaffrey book
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work a couple of hours
Worked on sourdough
Saturday:
Mowed the yard
Work on stairs for Jack
To go from El Centinela
Sunday:
Blueberry pancakes
Nap
Leatherwork
Friday:
Walk Jack
Work a couple of hours
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Banana Bread
To go from El Centinela
Sunday:
Leatherwork
Friday:
Gym
A couple of hours of work
Drop Flex off at McRee
Lunch at Garage Bar & Grill
Saturday:
Blueberry muffins
Work in the shop
Dinner with K at El Centinela
Sunday:
Kitchen Bread
Friday's lunch was at the Garage Bar & Grill on the 35 Bypass in Alvin. The structure for the building is a huge metal building (3 stories tall or so) and it's designed to be open-air on good days. a number of roll-up doors and an outdoor porch. the parking is decent, with covered parking for motorcycles only. I think that gives you some idea as to their preferred crowd.
Inside the restaurant, they've got a bar and a large number of tables around it. There's a small stage for the bands they have on a regular basis. There's one pay-to-play pool table and a bunch of TV screens all around. There was a sign on one of the walls advertising an upcoming extreme midget wrestling event. Without a band on stage, the music is C&W, some of a classic vintage, so not terrible to listen to.
The menu offered a bunch of appetizers, burgers and blue plates. There was a separate bar menu, as well.
I think there were two other parties in there dining at various tables at noon on a Friday. A few more folks sitting at the bar. But, I don't guess they expect huge crowds for lunch on a weekday.
I ordered the chicken fried chicken with green beans and mashed potatoes. If I had to do it all over again, I would NOT order the mashed potatoes. They tasted instant to me. The chicken fried chicken and green beans were good though. The portions are smaller than what I would get at the Seabrook Classic Cafe for about the same money.
The service was okay. After my meal was dropped off, the waitress did not stop by to check up on me or offer to refill my tea. She offered a refill after I'd finished eating when she asked whether I was ready for the check.
Overall, this was a far better meal than I was expecting.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Two times.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Right-sided Sumi Otoshi
Commentary:
None of note.
Friday:
Refresh starter
Gym
A couple of hours of work
Lunch with K at Pop Top
Aikido
Saturday:
Jodo/Aikido
Work in the shop
Bread
Dinner with K at El Centinela
Sunday:
Daylight Saving Time
Bread
Nap
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Two times.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Left-side Mae Otoshi and then some Sumi Otoshi
Commentary:
None of note.
Friday's lunch with K was at Pop Top Burgers (NASA 1 and Bay Area). Pop Top's genealogy is the owner used to be a cook at Tookie's (or Stomp's, don't remember which). But, I think the ownership has changed recently. The owner used to be a Hispanic lady but now appears to be an Indian couple.
Anyway, they specialize in burgers and offer fries, thin onion rings and thick onion rings (ala Tookies).
K and I went in around 2 pm on Friday and were the only customers in the place. The service was good. I asked about desserts of the day and they responded that their only dessert currently was the deep-fried Oreos.
K and I both ordered the Wine Not Burger. This is a takeoff of Tookies "99". Patty marinated in wine and then cooked up and topped with cheese, onions, etc. served on a brioche bun We also ordered a side of the thick-cut onion rings. Everything was good, and the delivery of the food was pretty quick.
If I'm in a bit of a rush and in the mood for a burger fix, this is the place I would hit in the area. If I have more time, I'll drive out to Tookies.
Friday's lunch experience was Pierogi Queen on FM 518 just west of 45. I've been eyeing it for a long time. They're tucked almost into a corner of the shopping center.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Two times.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Shihonage and Mae Otoshi
Commentary:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Two times.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Tenkai Kote Hineri and Shihonage
Commentary:
None of note.
Friday:
A couple of hours of work
Flex in for alignment
Print out Shodan certificate for Manuel Soto
Drive off to Killeen for ATAA seminar
Dinner at Crooked Fork
Taught Owaza Ju Pon at evening session
Saturday:
Breakfast at Ma's Kitchen
Taught Owaza JuPon at morning session
Lunch at Galaxy Burger
Eric and Jack taught during the afternoon session
Shodan demon from Manuel Soto
Nidan demonstration from Phillip Ludwig
Dinner at Bones Cracked Rib BBQ
Sunday:
Donuts in Cameron(?) for breakfast
Home by 11
Nap
Puzzles in the paper
Baked kitchen bread
Work on the outfeed table
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Two times.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Left-sided kote-gaeshi and then a little Tenkai Kote Hineri
Commentary:
None of note.
Friday:
Gym
A couple of hours of work
Flex in for oil change
Lunch at La Costa Seafood Grill
Truck in for oil change
Work on the outfeed table
Aikido - did jodo katas
Saturday:
Jodo
Stop at Rockler
Drop 3D printer off at TXRX
Work on the outfeed table
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Baked: Snickerdoodles, Lemon Squares
Work on the outfeed table
Friday's lunch experience was La Costa Seafood Grill on Hwy 35 just north of FM 517. This is a relatively new restaurant that I'd spotted while traveling to and from Alvin over the recent weeks.
This is a smallish joint with a decent sized bar and 6 TVs up on the walls (2 channels displayed while I was there, so 3 TVs for each channel). Maybe 25 tables in the whole place? The acoustics in the place (cement floor, metal bases for the tables) are such that I would not go during a busy time, at least not for conversation. The decor is definitely less "divey" than I prefer my Mexican joints, but it's almost neutral.
The menu is a mix: some seafood, some Tex-Mex. Not a huge selection of each. I chose a fried platter of shrimp and catfish. It came out nice and steaming. Crispy and fresh. I chose their rice as a side. It was a nice, simple meal. The service from the waitress was spotty. Combining that with the guy who sat me (manager?), service was acceptable
The total for my meal came to about $23 with tip. $14 for the meal and a little more for tea. I would go back, but it would have to be the right time for small crowds.
Aikido players:
None.
Ukemi:
None.
The Walk:
None.
Releases:
None.
Techniques:
I spent the evening going over Jodo kata.
Commentary:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Two times.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Left-sided kote-gaeshi.
Commentary:
None of note.
Friday:
Gym
A couple of hours of work
Lunch at Red Oak Cafe
Work on the outfeed table
No Aikido
Saturday:
Jodo
Work on the outfeed table
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Lazed around as I abused my shoulder on Friday, apparently.
Friday's lunch experience was Red Oak Cafe, on FM 518 near Countryside. This is definitely a first time visit for me. I actually got to go with my wife. The first time we've had lunch together on a weekday in many years.
They offered us the choice of breakfast or lunch menus as we came in, we opted for lunch. This was a much bigger establishment than I expected from the outside. Seating for maybe 100-150 people.
Service was prompt and pleasant. K chose 1/2 Chicken Salad Sandwich on a croissant (she wanted it on wheat, but they were out) with a cup of Tortilla soup. I chose the Roast Beef with kettle chips and a cup of baked potato soup. We ended up getting a small serving of Banana Pudding for dessert.
K was pleased with her dish, the tortilla soup was good, but a little mild for my preferences. I was gently underwhelmed with my choices. The roast beef was dry, but had a decent flavor. The potato soup was ok, the banana pudding was just meh.
A number of nearby tables were enjoying a late breakfast and the place was packed, so it is generally well-received for their offerings. I either made poor choices or am too picky.
The total for our meal came to about $30 with tip.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Light set.
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
We worked on Kote Gaeshi.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Light set.
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
We worked on Kote Hineri.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Friday:
Gym
A couple of hours of work
Lunch at Pier 8
A couple of hours of work
Time in the workshop
No Aikido
Saturday:
Friendswood Farmer's Market
Walk with Jack in 1776 Park
Time in the workshop
Discovered my neighbor mowed down the bluebonnets
Marinate Chicken
Dinner with K. at Joe's BBQ
Bake Coconut cupcakes for the Super Bowl
Sunday:
Time in the workshop
Grill chicken
Cook ground beef
Make guacamole
Ice cupcakes
Super Bowl
Friday's lunch experience was Pier 8, down in Seabrook. This is probably a new place for me, at least it's been 10+ years.
This is a combo fish market and restaurant. You can buy fresh fish to take home or have them cook it up for you to eat inside or on the deck. I probably should have chosen from their standard menu selections of catfish and shrimp combos. Since I dined alone, it would have been much cheaper.
If you choose to have them cook up one of the fresh fish on ice, you pay by the pound. About 2 or 3 dollars over what you would pay to take it home uncooked. I chose a flounder, I think it was a little over two pounds, and that ran me $20+. I had them fry it up for me whole. I should have had them filet it and then fry it. Ah, next time.
Simple preparation and a simple meal. They brought it out to me with the onion rings I ordered (just ok) and a big bowl of lemon wedges. Good food and definitely fresh. If you're going to select from their fish on display, I'd recommend that two people split it. I brought home enough leftovers to use in fish tacos for Super Bowl Sunday.
Other fish options they had available included: Red Snapper, Redfish, Tilapia, Catfish, and probably 5 or 6 others. Prices vary, of course, with the Red Snapper the most expensive I remember.
I made a mistake driving on the way home and ended up southbound on the Kemah Bridge. It took me 30 minutes to make it back to the office. I'm glad I'd planned for a 1.5 hour lunch in my schedule for the day.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Light set.
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
Left-sided.
Techniques:
We worked on Waki gatame.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Friday:
Gym
A couple of hours of work
Lunch at Savannah Cafe & Bakery
Time in the workshop
Aikido
Saturday:
Jodo
Aikido
Time in the workshop
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Finished the Sunday Crossword with no assistance
Time in the workshop
Arduino class work
Lemon Meringue Pie
Friday's lunch experience was Savannah Cafe & Bakery, at the corner of Hwy 3 and Clear Lake City Blvd (just a bit southwest of the actual intersection). This is not a new place for me. It used to be a regular haunt as I worked about 100 yards from them for a number of years. I'd classify it as an expanded tea room.
This is my first time back in a number of years.
My regular order: the St. Regis (sliced pork sandwich with a raspberry vinaigrette), a cup of Tortilla Soup, and a slice of Key Lime Pie. The sandwich and soup were fantastic, as always. The pie was just not outstanding. Any Key Lime that is that green is just wrong to me. The flavor was ok, but the texture was a little off for me.
I don't think I've had many issues with their wide variety of cookies, cakes, and pies. This one just did not hit the right notes with me.
The total for the meal came to around $16, with the tea.
A week ago Friday's lunch experience was Nacho Nachos, across the street from King's Biergarten in Pearland. The food is what you would expect from the name: Nachos. The menu listed in the restaurant is different than the menu on the website, but just in options, not in theme. This is a counter-service Mexican joint along the lines of Freebirds but with nachos instead of burritos.
I've passed this place so many times, as well as their food truck, and I've meant to stop in any number of times. Today was the first time.
You've got 3 options as the base for your nachos: chips, greens, or fries. I chose chips. You can then choose from a variety of proteins, veggies, and sauces while they assemble it in front of you. I chose fajita chicken, grilled onions, and pico.
I'm used to nachos along the lines of Bennigan's Ultimate Nachos and the nachos at the Jalapeno Tree. Nachos with liquid cheese are not my thing. So, I think I'm just the wrong client for Nacho Nachos.
The total for the meal came to around $11, with the tea.
Aikido players:
Phillip.
Ukemi:
None.
The Walk:
None.
Releases:
None.
Techniques:
We worked on the standing and defensive jo portions of Koryu Dai San No Kata.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Friday:
A couple of hours of work
Gym
Lunch at Nacho Nachos
Time in the workshop
Aikido
Saturday:
Time in the workshop
Nap
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Bake Lemon/Blueberry bread and Lemon/Blueberry cheesecake
Bake two loaves of Kitchen Bread
Football
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slap and falls.
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Willie worked on Ude Hineri.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Aikido players:
No students.
Ukemi:
None.
The Walk:
None.
Releases:
None.
Techniques:
I ran through the first 7 or so of Omote in Jodo.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Friday:
Gym
Haircut
Lunch at Hyde Park
A couple of hours of work
Saturday:
Jodo
Aikido
Harvest lemons
Football
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Process lemons: 12 hours
Bake two lemon pound cakes
Football
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slap and falls.
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
All 8.
Techniques:
Willie worked on Hiki Taoshi.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Back in the NASA area with my job, I hope to be able to restart this occasional series of dining reports. I plan on reporting on mostly restaurants I have not been to before, but the occasional old standby by may show up.
Today's lunch experience was Hyde Park, just east of the railroad tracks in Webster on Nasa Rd 1. From the name, I expected a British pub. the interior them and music had me thinking Jamaican. The food is high-quality pub food. They have a pizza oven for pizzas. They also offer apps, sandwiches, and mains.
I walked in today around 11:15 and am the only customer in the place. I grab a seat and a menu is promptly delivered. It appears to be a moderately stocked bar, with a decent number of taps. Nothing to compare to their sister restaurant next door, Nobi Public House, but still a good number.
I decide on the brie alfredo. The kitchen is out in the open, so I got to hear conversation from the cooks and see them preparing the food while waiting. It took a little bit of time for me to get my order, but they were making the pasta and sauces right then, so it was fresh. And it tasted fresh.
The plate came with the pasta, sauce, spiced shrimp, tomatoes, andouille sausage, peppers, and bread for a little sauce sopping. It was good!
I ordered bread pudding for dessert and it was fabulous, as well.
People, try this place. It's good.
Total for the meal came to just around $26, with the tea. $15 for the pasta, $7 for the bread pudding, and $3 for the tea.
Friday:
Aikido
Saturday:
Jodo
Aikido
Gym
Finished re-doing the deck
Football
Dinner with K. at El Centinela
Sunday:
Nap
Framing work on IlluxCon purchases and re-framing existing art
In the shop processing E.M's Osage orange stock
Broke band saw blade
Aikido players:
Phillip and Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slap and falls.
The Walk:
Not tonight.
Releases:
Not tonight.
Techniques:
Phillip and I worked on offensive and defensive jo sections of Koryu Dai San. Willie worked with us on Oshit Taoshi and Ude Gaeshi.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Aikido players:
Phillip.
Ukemi:
None tonight.
The Walk:
Not tonight.
Releases:
Not tonight.
Techniques:
We worked on offensive and defensive jo sections of Koryu Dai San.
Commentary:
None tonight.
Aikido players:
David.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Three times. Plus some repetition on selected sections
Releases:
None tonight.
Techniques:
Ushiro-ate.
Commentary:
None of note.
Aikido players:
Willie and David.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls.
The Walk:
Three times.
Releases:
None.
Techniques:
Ushiro-ate.
Commentary:
None of note.
Friday:
Lunch at Viola & Agnes'
Saturday:
Jodo
Christmas cookies! Socher Tort, Russian Teacakes, Pralines, Divinity, Sugar, Molasses
Football
Nap
Sunday:
Football
Back in the NASA area with my job, I hope to be able to restart this occasional series of dining reports. I plan on reporting on mostly restaurants I have not been to before, but the occasional old standby by may show up.
Today's lunch experience was Viola & Agnes' Cafe in the old shopping center in Nassau Bay about where Allen Maxwell Books used to be. They're a restaurant with a theme of New Soul food. The menu comes shows up as mostly cajun-inspired with a bit of Oxtail thrown in. The service is a blend of counter and sit down. You place your order at the counter and the staff deliver it to your table.
They have a sign as you come in that says, in effect, we'll be slow, but good. And that is a wise warning to take to heart. My meal from ordering to leaving out the door took right at 60 minutes for a Friday lunch. And I'm a bit of a quick eater, especially since I'm normally dining solo. The interior of the restaurant is shabby New Orleans, with a wall of clocks all set to different times to encourage you to not pay attention to any markings of time. If you have a tight window for lunch, go somewhere else. If you have some time, and a companion or two to converse with, come in, order, and sit a spell.
My lunch today was a fried catfish sandwich, side of red beans & rice, glass of tea and a slice of their Coconut Cake. All were fabulous. It took about 30 minutes from the time I placed my order to the time I received my meal. If I'd known if was going to be that lengthy, I would have brought a book with me to read.
The catfish was nicely fried and of a length twice as long as the diameter of the bun in which it resided. The dressing on the sandwich were coleslaw, remoulade sauce, and homemade sweet pickles. There was a small ramekin of what tasted like a slightly spicy raspberry sauce that went well with the catfish. The red beans were good, with a small serving of rice and green onions on top. The coconut was nice, and light, and gone quite quickly.
Total for the meal came to just around $22, with the tea. $13 for the sandwich, $4.5 for the cake, and $2.5 for the tea.
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls. I got in about 2/3 of my preferred set.
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
We got through all 8.
Techniques:
Ushiro-ate.
Commentary:
Was is it that almost all students, on Ushiro-ate, slap me upside the head. The bruising on the forearm is expected, if unpleasant. Slapping my skull during the technique is just not right.
Friday:
Up early to make flight
8:30 flight to Albuquerque
Ride city bus to hotel
Register with con
Wander around town for lunch at Cecilia's Cafe
Panels (discuss art show stuff)
Wander around town for dinner with several SMOFs
Saturday:
Breakfast at Standard Diner
Stop by aikido dojo on way back to hotel
See Steve Gould at dojo
Panels (including my own on Art Show stuff)
Dinner with Steve Gould
Fannish Inquisition
Probability and Statistics (lost out to straight with Pair of Aces with King kicker)
Sunday:
Breakfast at Standard Diner
Chatted with Spike in regards to Art Show stuff
Chatted with Randy and John until time to leave for airport
Hung out in the bar for a bit at the airport
Flight home
Aikido players:
Willie.
Ukemi:
Basic slaps, normal forward rolls. I even got in a good portion of my preferred set in
The Walk:
Twice.
Releases:
Willie did all of his.
Techniques:
Willie and I worked on 1-4.
Commentary:
None of note.
Wednesday:
refreshing sourdough starter
Pecan pie
Cherry pie
Whipped cream
Thursday:
Sourdough dinner rolls
Thanksgiving dinner with the family
Football
Friday:
Work to make the 40 hours
No aikido
Touring Christmas lights
Saturday:
Start tearing out old deck
Football
Nap
More tearing out old deck
Sunday:
Work on building new top to deck
Football
Nap
