I should have checked the previous week blog before I wrote the stuff above. My friend Marco from Green Bay wrote to dis the Vikings. Since he was tainted at birth by his proximity to Lambeau Field I understand. Although I have always liked the Vikes, when I was GB I was a big Packer fan. When I was in Seattle I got into the Seahawks and in San Francisco, I was a Niner's nut and still think Montana was a god. Mark also wrote:

"Speaking of garlic . . . (okay, that was a few days ago) I have indeed partaken of the fare at the Stinking Rose on a number of occasions. Nothing like eating garlic, garlic, and more garlic on Fiestaware. Fun place! As is the Gold Spike, Caffe Sport, Columbus Avenue and all of North Beach. My favorite eatery in that part of The City is, however, a little hole in the wall a bit further south on Green Street from Caffe Sport, Sodini's. Best gnocchi anywhere outside of my kitchen. Anyway, after reading your blog I remembered that I have one of the Stinking Rose cookbooks so I broke the sumbitch open and made a 40 clove garlic chicken this past weekend. Nobody would talk to me today. Marco"

My favorite place in North Beach....I just love it. The Olive Garden! I'm just kidding. Actually, I've eaten at Sodini's.Pic Here I used to walk past it often on my way to the original North Beach Pizza on Grant. There are North Beach Pizza places all over SF but the only really good one is the original. Around here the premier pizza is from Sammy's and that thin-crust pizza cut in squares is about as far from a North Beach Pizza as it is possible to get. We always ordered the "Special" and had them leave off the salami and the onions. I'm not a fan of hot salami (even tho I recently went to that opera) and although I like onions, they seem to hog my taste buds on a pizza. Also, I recommend extra cheese. OMG! Anyway, back to Sodini's. Every time we'd walk past the place it seemed like we'd see people coming out the door who looked 'connected'. All the customers look like the guests at Connie and Carlo's wedding in The GF. I have been searching for a good gnocchi and this winter I'll give it a shot. Damn! This means I'll have to buy a wedding gift.

Oops! I should just have gone right to bed...but I had to check on what garbage the libs were oozing and did some surfing. Seems like they are all blown-up about Sarah Palin dropping the puck in Phillie. On the despicable MSNBC they went on and on about the booing. Earlier I saw a vid and didn't notice that much booing. Even Leno mentioned that in Phillie they 'even boo the Zamboni'...Anyway....I watched the vid of the event and the music is so loud you can't hear anything....but....after the drop as they are leaving the ice the camera takes a wide shot and you see the crowd. What are they doing? You tell me. Looks like they are applauding! F'ing MSM. How do they sleep at night?

Watch Video Here

Yup, gnocchi at Sodini's. And a glass or three of a nice chianti. I'll be waiting for the report. I'll be in The City for a few days next month and you can bet your ass I'll be partaking. I'll also pay a visit to Vivolo's Chowder House in Monterey. I know, I know . . . seafood. But it is another great hole in the wall and the chowder in a bread bowl is to die for.

You watch MSNBC??!! I didn't know anybody did that! The truth be told there are some in this very household who watch that channel. I have only seen a few minutes of Keith Olberman on occasion but it is enough to make me wonder. That guy should have stayed in sports. He must feel very inferior to Bill O'Reilly as he seems to spend most of his time launching ad hominem attacks on Bill. And I watch The Factor nearly every day I have yet to hear O'Reilly even mention Olberman. How frustrating that must be for the MSNBC crowd.

Marco

P.S.

Loved the photos, though I didn't remember your hair being that short in Green Bay. Just need a shot of the old Catalina and one of the view from the production room window to make the gallery complete. I also forgot how high the ceilings were in the control room. I do remember the ol' single ear headphones, if you can call them that.

Marco

I'd love to have some pix looking out the windows too. Maybe I'll hear from someone with a treasure trove of GB pix. I wouldn't be surprised.

Speaking of 'holes in the wall' I always recommend a funky Chinese restaurant. The food is plentiful and cheap and the place is so out-of-the-ordinary it sticks in one memory. Sam Wo on Washington. Sam has been dead for years. When he was there he used to insult and banter with the customers and it was hilarious. They still have a bit of an attitude but the new generation just doesn't cut it. Here are some pixSam Wo When you go in the front door you are in the kitchen...find the staircase on the right and just go upstairs. There you'll find someplace to sit and you can take it from there. For some reason my San Francisco friends won't eat there with me anymore. Philistines.

Sam Wo. I'll have to look that up. Nothing like a good hole in the wall!!

You must have some air checks you can put up on the website, yes?? That would be way cool. Radio the way it was meant to be (and once was).

The final debate is coming up in just a few. I don't think I can watch. Both guys infuriate me - Obama for what he says and McCain for what he doesn't (but should) say.

Marco

Well...I watched the debate and Marco, you stated it perfectly. Infuriating for what Obama said and for what McCain didn't say. After the thing I was talking to my friend, Mike, and we are both getting resigned to an Obama Mr. President. My comment was: "Well, I won't get Obama derangement syndrome, I won't call him a Nazi (or commie) and I only hope I live long enough to see someone else in that office.

We've been talking about air-checks for years. I have very little from the early stations and tons and tons from my last ones. Those who remember the early days will some day be surprised by the latter days.

Tomorrow night or Friday night at the latest, a new chapter for My Story. I was going to finish it tonight but I'm tired. I had to go to the dentist and have my teeth cleaned early this morning. My brother was having a colonoscopy. I'd got the better of the deal. I'd rather have someone's fingers in my mouth than in my.....well....you know. Last time I had a procto the doctor had the lights down low and a gypsy violinist playing show tunes! I knew I was in trouble when he unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt. Forget it. I WAS AWAKE during MY teeth cleaning. My brother got some drugs. Roofies I think. One thing bothers me. If you don't have an active gag reflex do they make assumptions?

Seriously, once in that restaurant one of the servers - an ancient woman - would not give me my beef and broccoli until I gave her a kiss. I wonder if I'd get won ton and fried rice if I tapped her ass?

I'm not quite to the ledge yet. Senator McCain is Mr Comeback if ever there was one. He's been in tougher spots - like 5 and a half years in the Hanoi Hilton. He is the right guy. Unfortunately his campaign sucks. I keep thinking that somehow the citizens of this country are going to wake up and see Senator Government for what he is. Can we be this stupid?? 'Course one look at Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid answers that question. (I love California, it is my second home. But Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsome??? Come on!! San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the whole world but it is no mystery why the legendary Herb Caen used to call the Board of Supervisors the "Board of Stupidvisors". And that's to say nothing of the 14 billion and counting dollar state deficit.)

It's been a couple of years since I had the ol' borescope exam but I'll tell you I didn't mind the procedure nearly as much as I minded the prep. My bung hole still burns just thinking about it. It's a sad comment on our state of life when we compare notes on our colonoscopies.

Looking forward to the next chapter and, some day, some air checks.

Marco

I have been assured by my very tolerant webmaster and friend that the new chapter will be posted before the week-end is over. Barring any technical problems, he'll do it in his spare time as this week-end he is helping the Illinois Air Force Reserve to keep this country safe.

It's late and I have to rise tomorrow at 5:30am. I'll be on a little jaunt this week-end and plan to be back by Monday. Who knows if I'll be here in the mean-time.

Have a great week-end!