Hello my friend, We meet again...

Review by Do:

Event: Creed Concert (w/Theft and Red)
Venue: Darien Lake PAC
Date: July 31, 2010
Concert goers: Me, My husband, and another couple
Ticket cost: $35

I've been a fan of the band Creed since 1997 when they released their first album, My Own Prison. I was quick to snatch up their most recent album, Full Circle, last October; and so it's of no real surprise that when my husband asked if I wanted to see them in concert, I jumped at the chance. Our friend secured us tickets in an advance sale posting in March and we were set!

Our friends, Kelly and Matt..............................My husband Steve & Kelly

The concert was at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center and so we planned to drive out that day and stay overnight with our friends at their campsite. Perfect idea because who really wants to drive 2 hours to get home after a concert?

[a bit of history: For those of you who don't know, Creed release 3 very popular albums in 1997, 1999, and 2001 and then broke up in 2004. Lead singer Scott Stapp tried a solo career and the remaining members of the band formed Alter Bridge. Neither were able to duplicate the popularity and sound of the original band. So true Creed fans were uber-excited to hear that they had reunited and were releasing a new album.]

We arrived in Darien Lake around 4:00pm, and by 5:00pm we were parked and in tailgating mode! Much better planning for this concert than the last (see previous Down in Sugarland blog for details). This was our view from the parking lot...not what you would expect to see at a concert venue, but then again, we are in Upstate New York.

Around 6:30pm the gates opened and we ventured on in. As usual the beer selection was limited and pricey. They were selling Budweiser and Michelob; a 24 ounce can was $11. I don't mind an ice cold Michelob Ultra but good lord - 24 oz.?? That's a double beer! I could barely hold the thing, it was so big. Not to mention you can not possibly drink the whole thing before half gets warm (I did give it my best shot though). I would have rather seen normal sized beer, and a beer man walking around with cans on ice...but that was not the case. They also had food and wine selections but I wasn't buying. The bathrooms were clean enough - crowded but tolerable.

The stage is set up in front of a covered seating area; then set behind was open lawn seating. Our seats were great. We were in the covered seating area, set fairly close, but to the left of the stage. We were in short walking distance from all the amenities too.

The two opening acts I have never heard of before. The first, named Theft, was a bit more appealing than the second, named Red. They weren't as head bashing as Red seemed to be. I actually can't accurately review either of those bands because I was so excited to see Creed that I would have wished anyone off the stage.

Creed was awesome! From their opening song to the end of their 3-song encore. Scott Stapp is a phenomenal singer - his vocals are as strong as ever. Their mix of songs was well played. What's This Life For (my personal fave), One, My Sacrifice, Suddenly, Overcome, Faceless Man, One last Breath, and of course Arms Wide Open and Higher, just to name a few. I love them all.

Scott made full use of the stage and the concert light show was amazing. Very colorful, very energetic, and even some pyrotechnics. You could tell that the band is back, bigger and better than before. I think the crowd could tell too because everyone was so into the whole show and singing right along as loud as possible. I am so happy I finally got to see them in concert and I will never forget how powerful it was.

The Darien Lake venue gets a 4 (out of 6) on my concert meter. The bathrooms and overall cleanliness of the place were tolerable (1/2 points each), parking was good (1 point), stage setting and sound/graphics were great (1 each), but the amenities get a zippo in my book.

I would definitely see Creed again and I would also return to the Darien Lake venue for another concert. All in all, we had a really fun and memorable weekend. Hopefully the members of Creed will remain friends this time, and we will be hearing/seeing more of them in the future.

My Sacrifice...
Hello my friend, We meet again
It's been a while, Where should we begin
Feels like forever
Within my heart, Of memories
A perfect love, That you gave to me
Oh I remember

Saucy!

So I'm walking through Publix, my favorite local grocery store, doing a bit of shopping. I was in the pasta aisle contemplating making something with red sauce and cheese. And what catches my eye but price tag, not a sauce. A price tag. $5.99 for freaking jar of sauce? You've GOT to be kidding me.

Oh, Mario Batali. That explains it.

But what makes a jar of tomato sauce worth of that kind of price? I'm not a big jarred tomato sauce person, preferring to make my own. But I'm willing to try this stuff to see if it's any good.

The jar claims the following -- no preservatives, no sugar, fresh ingredients, "imported San Marzano tomatoes and slivers of fresh garlic", and "produced in a green facility." Does it taste good?

When I opened the jar it smelled like SpaghettiOs. Um...ew. I hate SpaghettiOs. They really quite gross. Not a good sign.

I boiled some Barilla mini-farfalle pasta in one pan and dump some MB marinara into another pan. Taste. Blah. Yes, blah...as in bland. Add some kosher salt, a little basil and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Better. Acceptable. Poured on the pasta.


I added some grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Helped. I started eating. As far as store bought tomato sauce goes, it's okay. It's not a thick sauce, it's kind of watery. And then, what I feel, the cardinal sin of red sauce has happened -- there are tomato seeds in the sauce! Gross. I hate, hate, hate that! Who wants to bite into a bitter, nasty tomato seed? Fate sealed.

MB, I don't care HOW many television shows you have...your sauce sucks and it's seriously unworthy of any money, let alone $6! You can put all the buzz words on the label but if your product is bland, watery and annoying, no one will buy it.

Paul Newman's sauce is MUCH better. Hell, even my red sauce is better than that.

The Bone Garden

Review by Do:

I read my first book by the well known author, Tess Gerritsen, and I must say that I really enjoyed it.

The Bone Garden is a great mystery (possibly romantic mystery) that weaves a tale from 1830 in with the present day life of Julia Hamill. Having just gone through a divorce, Julia embarks on a new life for herself in an old rundown house. While digging up the flower garden, Julia finds a skeleton buried on her property, and soon learns that the person was most likely murdered. She feels drawn to finding out who the person was, and why they were buried there in such a manner.

The storyline from the 1830's follows (4) Boston Medical students and the conditions they faced in learning how to become a doctor. One student is accused of crimes he did not commit and must prove himself innocent.

How these two very different sets of circumstances become entwined is very cleverly done. One minute you think you know who the killer is, but really, you have no idea. Although this may be a tale of murder, it is also an unexpected love story that, in the end, inspires Julia to think that she could actually love again.

Tess Gerritsen has written numerous books dating back to 1985. I am very happy that I chose this to be my first book by her. I love mysteries so I cruised through this book in just a couple weeks. The medical circumstances were very interesting and very well researched, and yet not too disturbing. I borrowed this from my mom not knowing that, coincidentally, this is the same author of the new Rizzoli and Isles TV series that debuted on TNT this summer. Since I am also enjoying that show, it is a definite possibility that I may embark on a new Tess Gerritsen novel in the near future.

YummO

Ever heard of Salt Potatoes? If you are from central New York, you not only know about these tasty little morsels, you love them. They are a staple at any cook-out, carnival or summer get-together. Me? I ♥ salt potatoes. Big ♥. You can't get them in the south. You have to make due.

The Syracuse, New York area has a long history of salt production. Salt springs located around Onondaga lake were used to create consumable salt that was distributed throughout the northeast via the Erie Canal. Salinated water was laid out to dry on large trays. The salt residue was then scraped up, ground, and packaged. Salt potatoes were created in the nineteenth century by Irish immigrants working the springs who cooked their potatoes in the salty brine. [See Wikipedia]

When I got my monthly Food Network Magazine this month I paged through the recipes. And what do I see? SYRACUSE scrawled across the top of the page. Food Network had discovered salt potatoes! Hmmmm. Little potatoes slowly cooked in a LOT of salt (which raises the boiling point so it takes much longer to cook) and drenched in butter. They are so creamy and delicious. Yeah, they won't clean our your arteries but they will make you smile.

Want to try them? Here is the recipe from the magazine. Let me know what you think!

Movies!

I had an afternoon alone yesterday and two Netflix movies to watch.

This was the first movie I put in the player. Precious is a film about a 16 year old girl in Harlem, NY. She is horribly abused by her mother, raped and pregnant by her father, and illerate. She's pregnant for the second time, removed from public school and then sent to an alternative school. She has some rather vivid fantasies about who she wants to be or who she could be. Precious leads a very sad life, an oppressive life.

I couldn't watch this film; I turned it off after about 20 minutes. I know it won Oscars; many movies that I have not enjoyed have also. I took the disc out after this girl stole a bucket of chicken. There was nothing enjoyable about that 20 minutes, I don't care how well the parts were acted. (2 stars)


After removing the first disc, I put Crazy Heart in. This story follows Bad Blake, an alcoholic, washed up country music singer. Bad Blake is not a great guy. He's self-absorbed and mostly bitter -- the man he mentored and taught has an amazingly prosperous career, leaving Bad in the dust. Bad is playing bars and bowling alleys in small towns. While in Santa Fe he meets Jane, a newspaper music writer. Jane has a four year-old son and a past she doesn't want to repeat. She falls in love with Bad knowning she shouldn't.

Cue the music. This movie wasn't bad, just predictable. You knew what was going to happen before the characters did. Jeff Bridges was very good as an alcoholic has-been, and Robert Duvall was wonderful, as always. (3.5 stars)

Have you seen either film? What did you think?

Chittenango Falls

Review by Do

Earlier this month my husband and I went on a day trip to Chittenango Falls, in Chittenango NY. I have always wanted to go and we ended up alone on July 4th weekend, so my husband planned a nice drive out for us. This is a pic from the top of the Falls. We had a gorgeous day too...we really lucked out.

We cautiously walked down rock stairs as they were pretty steep. I wouldn't recommend this excursion for someone who isn't prepared for a good hike. These are pics from the bottom of the falls on a wooden bridge that crosses over the ravine. There was a family playing in the water at the bottom, but I'm not real sure if that's actually allowed or not.

We continued across the bridge and up the other side of the falls. The trail is tricky in parts, but mostly comprised of steps carved into the rock. There isn't much of a rail to speak of, but it is not too difficult to make it all the way around the falls.

This was our tour guide (my husband). He picked up a trail map as we entered the park, and he planned our hike for the day. The trails names are pretty self explanatory. Trail A, the Gorge Trail, travels down, around, and back up the other side of the falls. This is the trail you would take if you just wanted to see the Falls. Trail B, Creekside, takes you up the creek and back.

After Trail A and Trail B, we pitstopped for a drink and then our tour guide decided we would continue on to Trail C, Chips Trail, which heads on into the woods. I still am not too sure why it's called Chips Trail, it should be called Desolate Forest trail. This trail didn't seem to be too widely used, but what the heck, we gave it a try. Our quick hike on Trail C led us to Trail D, Meadows Trail, at which point I thought the locals were going to step out of their house and shoot at us for trespassing. This was a very extended trail through...of all things...a meadow, who knew?? We did not venture on Trail E, Meadow Extended Trail, because I wanted to make it home that night. Trail C-E are through the woods and meadow with no sight of the Falls, and no wildlife that I could see. At one point we seem to have been following the power lines with the hope it would lead us back to civilization. We joked we should be leaving bread crumb trails 'cuz it all started to look familiar...again. Look kids Big Ben! (see National Lampoon's European Vacation for inside joke). After about an HOUR, my experienced tour guide, who kept insisting he was a human compass, did manage to find our way back. (note to self: do not let tour guide lead the way on Trail C, D, and esp not E, ever again).

We had a great time at the Chittenango Falls. The day was beautiful, the park was not packed, the falls were gorgeous, and I love hikes. The park also includes picnic areas, charcoal grills, a small playground, volleyball nets, and would make a wonderful place to have a family outing. To view the falls, I would positively recommend Trail A and Trail B.

I think I just talked myself into a family trip back so the kids can enjoy the falls too. If I can get everyone on board, maybe we'll plan a picnic lunch after we explore the falls. I know they'll love it as much as I did.

Do you Ichiban?

While up in the New York last week, my sister and her family, my parents and Dominic and I had a wonderful hibachi dinner at Ichiban Japanese Steak House in Liverpool.

Do had reserved us a hibachi table so we could see the live-action of Japanese cooking. We had a great hibachi cook -- he was friendly, professional and quite personable. And he made a mean fried rice! Seriously. The fried rice was the best I've ever had. It even beats the fried rice from the Egg Roll House in Columbia, SC (and that is saying something).

I ordered the steak and scallops. I upgraded to filet mignon for an extra dollar; well worth it. SO good. We got so much food. Soup (not miso but noodle which is weird for Japanese but it was tasty), salad, shrimp, hibachi vegetables, your entree, and tea. We also ordered a tuna roll for an appetizer -- hello Yum! So good. Did I already say that?

Additionally, Dominic is allergic to shellfish which I let them know upfront. Not only did they write it and highlight it on the order sheet, but the waitress asked about it. They cooked his chicken and rice in a separate part of the kitchen to eliminate cross-contamination. That is something that I seriously worry about in Asian restaurants because of the predominance of seafood. No issues whatsoever. I was thrilled.

Our chef took to Dominic and tried to get him involved in the cooking. The fire scared Dominic a bit so the chef kept trying tricks. This one involved hitting a lemon on the spatula and catching it in his hat. Too funny. He was lots of fun.

Dominic even tried the chopsticks. The waitress gave him a chopstick helper so he could actually use them. He did great with the chicken and the rice.

All in all, it was a very good meal. Good company, good food, good experience. If you ever get to Syracuse, New York try Ichiban. It's worth the trip.