Sounds, Suds and Cinema XII
Holy shnikes have I been busy/distracted/stressed/exhausted of late and the worst part is it has been for no particular reason. For the most part I have done it to myself without merit. Busy? Yes, but that is because I tend to commit to a lot and since I like to be taken at my word, backing out (regardless of how I feel) is never an option. Distracted? Yep, wait, what was I writing about? Oh yeah, being stressed, this one is all on me. Being stressed is always in our control, things are not nearly as bad or dire as I make them seem but I have of way of throwing myself on alert with certain things and I know it is a defense mechanism but I need to cool out since some things are easily solved by proactive decision-making. Well, that leaves me with blogging, I first started this effort as a release, something to share my life with people in hopes that I would write something that may be useful to someone going through similar situations. I really didn’t think about a “blogiversary” but after seeing a few pop up over the last couple of weeks, I realized, yeah, one year! Please note that I have successfully disappeared from sharing my thoughts over the last two months but I am still here, reading your blogs and commenting so I count it as a FULL YEAR under my belt!
A quick bit on running since I do not plan to write a full post on the topic this week. I have chosen to run the ING New York City Marathon in 2013. With the help of some fellow bloggers, my best friend and my girlfriend I was reminded that nothing is every going to be perfect and that this is something I really want to achieve. I still only plan to run one marathon and even though Chicago is really enticing, if I am going to travel out-of-state it should be for New York. The good news is that I now know what to expect from training in the summer heat, I know what to expect from my body and I will be stronger mentally this time around. I won’t start training officially until July but I am in the midst of the same marathon training program right now for the Rock and Roll Pasadena Half Marathon next month and ultimately RAGNAR SoCal in April. It is much easier to run in the winter than the summer although my discipline is being tested because the temperatures are perfect all day and I don’t have the urgency to wake up and beat the heat like I did in the summer.
Well without further ado, let me get back to sharing some music, booze and film!
Sounds
The Zone by the Weeknd feat Wheelchair Jimmy
I referenced my love for the Weeknd in one of my previous SSC’s and since I have been such a sporadic blogger of late I figure I better share this before I move on to all the other new music I have discovered in the last month…> (Feist, Bat for Lashes, Grizzly Bear, Local Natives, Joy Formidable and Bombay Bicycle Club). Surprise! A Canadian musician is highlighted in SSC yet again…what is going on up there? Whatever it is, keep it up. The Weeknd won’t be everyone’s idea of “good” music but to me, it is modern-day baby making gold…or since I don’t have a baby in the works…it is running music…similar right? Well, I think this dude is insanely talented and considering you can get all three of his releases for $12 (total) on iTunes then it is a no brainer. I remember seeing The Weeknd at Coachella, albeit briefly and thinking, pretty cool, then moving on because there was so much other stuff distracting me. Then my girlfriend and I saw him open for Florence and the Machine in October and thought…man, I love this…the next day I was in my office listening to his music and have been hooked ever since. The Zone is not my favorite song but it is the only one on YouTube with a video so that is what you get. By the way, Wheelchair Jimmy is the artist better known as Drake, he played a handicap kid on Degrassi so I think it is amazing that he is now a buffed up rapper dude (I thank my girlfriend for this knowledge because I think he is terrible).
Suds Sauce
Woodford Reserve : Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey -Versailles, KY
I know, I know, it is supposed to be SUDS but with running I have begun to take it easy on beer due to hydration issues that ensure when I consume more than one. Don’t get me wrong I still drink a few beers a week but I have not been doing enough exploring of late and want to provide relevant recommendations with all of you. So unofficially, SSC may become Sounds, Sauce and Cinema…thoughts? I have always liked a good martini or rum and Coke but whiskey is a fairly new discovery for me. When I don’t feel like a beer I usually go for a mixed drink and I am not ashamed to say that when I started watching Mad Men a few years back I became intrigued with classic cocktails. I was particularly surprised by the distinct and flavorful Whiskey based creations and quickly grew to enjoy drinks like a Manhattan, Sazerac or Old Fashioned. Recently things took a turn for the worse though, I had a few sips of Woodford Reserve on the rocks and for some reason or another loved it. I won’t dare pretend like I have the palate to give you distinct flavors, so I will say it is sweet, warming and surprisingly smooth. I won’t tell you to drink it straight but if you are looking for an awesome whiskey for a classic cocktail, this is the one! And because everyone should know how to make a Manhattan…
Classic Manhattan Recipe
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve®
- 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura® bitters
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a bourbon-infused cherry…
Enjoy!
Cinema
Queen of Versailles
When I decided to share whiskey in the “Suds” section above I thought it was comical that the Woodford Reserve distillery is in Versailles, Kentucky because I had been kicking around a few films to share. Needless to say, I took it as a sign, so here you go, Queen of Versailles! This movie is pure, unadulterated American capitalist insanity personified. I started watching this movie with the expectation it would be a comedy but was left with a feeling of astonishment. If you ever wondered what caused the economy to take a dive, this movie will definitely shed some light by exploring the extravagant lifestyle of the Siegels and their business practices/model. It also does a decent job of explaining lending practices of our douchey banks. Now I most assuredly do not blame the wealthy for what happened to our economy, I blame the American people as a whole for living above their means with the expectation that there would always be more money and rarely be a consequence for stupidity. I won’t turn this into an economic or political discussion about the issues that are still affecting us today but this movie is a must watch. There is definitely some Real Housewives of ______ comedy in this documentary so you won’t be disappointed but enter it with an open mind, these are not evil people, well, at least Jacqueline Siegel isn’t, the jury is still out on David.
23 Responses to “Sounds, Suds and Cinema XII”
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Longest Race
Congratulations! Youi’re going to ROCK in New York! I look forward to your training.
The music’s great! Thanks! Z
Thanks Z…at least one of us is looking forward to my training! Also, glad you like the tunes!
Woohoo! Time to update your ING Marathon “Countdown Calendar” on the right banner.
I *love* bourbon/whiskey and affiliated drinks. Have you ever had bourbon and ginger ale? (which I call, appropriately, a “binger”) It’s SO tasty. I usually prefer a Manhattan, but the binger is good for daytime and/or continuous drinking.
I also enjoyed the Queen of Versailles documentary. I swear we’re Netflix documentary twins. Next on my list is How to Survive a Plague. Have you seen that yet?
Nice call! I totally forget about all those little things over there —–>—–^
I have never had bourbon and ginger al but after that description I will have to try it sometime!
The Queen of Versailles is great. I have not seen How to Survive a Plague but it sounds like something I would like, I will add it. I have been going through Twin Peaks the last month or so…not very informative but highly entertaining!
Welcome to the whiskey/bourbon lovin’ club! I lived in Lexington, KY for a year and a half after college and spent some time touring the distilleries out there. I’m also a fan of Woodford Reserve. You’ll have to give Stranahan Whiskey a try sometime…made in CO!
Stranahan ehh, I will def have to check it out after I make my way through this bottle of Woodford, which may take a couple months. Thanks for reading!
Yes! I’m so glad you decided to run it! Also, bourbon is a slippery slope. Before you know it you’re dropping half a months rent on a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. Heed with caution. Cheers!
You should try and run it too, lottery! It is indeed a slippery slope, I have a bottle of Blanton’s that is waiting for me but I am enjoying the Woodford right now (plus its affordable). As for Pappy Van Winkle, I will never* spend anything more than a $75 on a bottle of anything. Just like I will never* run anything more than a 10k.
* In the endeavor known as life, one would be wise to not underestimate ones own stupidity.
Dominick – Are you saying you’re only going to run one marathon ever, or only running a single one this year?
And congrats on a making a decision and setting your sights on NYC again. You’re going to do great. And when you eventually cross that finish line, it will more than make up for last year.
Congrats on the 1-year Blogiversary too. And continued thanks for all of the support and encouragement you provide to other runners. You deserve the same.
Hey Jack, I pretend like I will only run one in my life. That being said, I understand I am probably full of S considering that I am in the midst of another marathon training program right now to run RAGNAR…which is probably completely unnecessary. I do love the half marathon more though but only time will tell if I do multiple. Thanks on the NYC congrats, I am trying to keep my excitement at bay until at least November. Thank you for the support and motivation, as a community I think we are all doing a great job on pushing each others boundaries…although I tell myself my body would die without rest days, you are showing me that it is capable of much more!
Yay, so glad you decided to do the NYC Marathon! I think it’s a great decision. Time consuming? Yes. But it will be worth every minute of training. Sounds–this one isn’t too bad. And you’re right…Local Natives and Bombay Bicycle Club are where it’s at. I’m not a whiskey fan at all, so I pretty much ignored your Suds section. I’d actually rather drink anything but whiskey. I can’t even smell the stuff. Start blogging more! I enjoy reading these too much.
Thanks on the NYC love, it will be well worth it and I think I have a better idea of what to expect this year even though I didn’t get a chance to run. As for music, the new Local Natives album is going to have to grow on me because as of right now I think it sucks! The old stuff is so good though. The Weeknd is better than….isn’t too bad…you’re nuts. As for Whiskey, I had the EXACT same thoughts on it for all of my adult life until about 6 months ago…and straight…I never thought I would drink anything straight…as Justin Bieber would say…never say never.
I do my best with the time I have…my blogs are limited editions but I will try and knock out at least one a week….you do the same.
You think their new album sucks?! You’re crazy! Check this out: http://www.npr.org/event/music/168653152/local-natives-in-concert?autoplay=true
Ok, ok, it doesnt suck but I just don’t like it better than Gorilla Manor…I am giving it a chance, there are definitely some good songs, it is just more mellow than I expected…which isn’t bad.
PS- to the guitarist of Local Natives…John Oates called, he wants his style back.
HAHA so spot on.
I’m glad you came to a New York resolution. I’m actually allergic to some brandsof whiskey (like Jack Daniels…I think it has something to do with the barrel process) but Woodford Reserve is one of the ok ones. Aaron has been on a Bulleit kick lately.
Yeah, I am allergic to terrible taste so therefore I am allergic to Jameson and Jack Daniels as well. Woodford is great, try it and Aaron has great taste, I had Bulleit the other day and liked it. One day we will all meet for a race and I imagine get along swimmingly over post races drinks.
Thought you might like reading this post: http://busterpaul.com/2013/02/21/50k-for-50-years-my-experience-in-nicaragua-as-a-first-time-ultra-runner/
and this one (and the follow-up post) http://retirenicaragua.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/survival-of-the-fittest/
i am sure you’ll enjoy these posts!
z
Thanks Z! My brother actually owns a nice property in Nicaragua, I me be heading down there sooner rather than later for a visit. I can’t wait to read these articles by the titles, thanks for sharing!
i’m curious to know what area of nicaragua. how great that you’ll be visiting! z
I can’t remember the city but it is close to Lake Nicaragua and within walking distance of the volcano? So close to Granada I believe.
SI; that would be near granada. i always thought it odd that i couldn’t find a place to have a sunset cervesa in granada.. maybe someone has opened a roof-top bar by now! it’s been years since i’ve visited granada. i to to rivas, limon, sjds (san juan del sur) and isla ometepe.