$1 Subs at Jimmy Johns?

I heard it on the radio and almost could not believe my ears. Even though this is not being advertised on the radio, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Subs is offering subs for $1 on Thursday 10/18/2012 from 11am – 3pm. The news has been confirmed by phone calls to local restaurants and by checking in with local news organizations. It is a mystery why there is not more hype about this out there, but I for one will be there to get my sub tomorrow.

The deal includes sandwiches #1 - #6. While this means I cannot get my usual Gargantuan, I will still be able to enjoy the #5, which is a scaled down version of that mighty meaty sub. The subs are in celebration of how well the company is doing and to say thanks to everyone that loves their subs so much. So, if you have enjoyed receiving your sub before you can even fill your soda, now is the time to order your $1 sub and have an outstanding sub.

The one caveat to the deal is that you will only be able to get one per person. This means you will not be able to be the company hero by getting delicious subs for everyone in your office for pocket change. However, you could rally the troops for a mass invasion of your local Jimmy John’s and everyone will thank you for bringing it to their attention. After all, who would not want one of these delicious sandwiches for just $1?

Rates Remain Low at Candler Park Golf Course

There has been a lot of talk about Candler Park Golf Course. After the Friends of the Candler Park Golf Course (FCPG) got together, it appears that the city is not going forward with any plans to shut down the golf course. One of the points of discussion which led to the idea of closing the course in the first place was the fact that the course is losing tens of thousands of dollars every year. One method to recover these losses has been a suggested increase in the green fees for using the course.

If there is an intention to increase the Candler Park Golf Course green fees, it has yet to take effect. In fact, a recent call to the course uncovered that the course appears to have lowered their prices slightly. The current prices are as follows for Atlanta city residents:

-          Weekday rates - $9.72

      -          Weekend rates - $11.88

The greens are in much better condition this year and it appears that the greens will look even better next year with a revitalized effort by the community to beautify the course and make even more use of the green space.

The Candler Park Golf Course is located at:

 585 Candler Park Drive, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-371-1260

Candler Park Golf Course is located close to Little Five Points community and is in close proximity to Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur and North Druid Hills. The 9-hole course features dramatic changes in elevation that can present a challenge on holes where you cannot even see the green at the top of the hill. The community is welcoming to golfers of all skill sets. So, come out and enjoy the low rates on the green fees before they rise. You are sure to enjoy yourself and will certainly be back soon with friends.

Louis Vuitton Waffles Anyone?

There are many in the fashion world that would purchase anything for fashion. But, would you cook for fashion? This is a fair question with the Louis Vuitton waffle maker recently introduced to the world.

The design of the waffle maker was dreamt up by Andrew Lewicki. This Los Angeles based designer decided to create a waffle maker that imprints the ‘LV’ monogram on every waffle. It features Teflon coating and a hinge closing function that clasps in the front.

The simplistic design might have you wondering where you can get your own. Unfortunately, this is not something you can buy just yet. It was created for an art-installation and is not available for mass production, though many are speculating just how long it will be until it is ready to be sold to the public. The model uses generic waffle maker parts, an aluminum sheet with enamel as the outer shell and Teflon coated aluminum for the interior. Its dimensions are 13” x 14” x 16”.

You might know Andrew Lewicki from other great designs as the all wood Less Paul guitar or the Oreo Manhole cover. This Louis Vuitton may only be for display, but it is a great design that many have already indicated that they would pay top dollar for. Only time will tell if the design offered by the OTIS graduate will be made available to the public. If so, it is likely not to be available through Target.

Gourmet Ramen Noodles, Is It Possible?

As a former chef and future restaurateur, I am about the last person that most people would expect to be into some Ramen Noodles, but I just about always keep some handy in the house. These not only bring back memories from college when I needed to conserve my money. They also allow me to develop new and interesting creations from such a simple base.

The majority of people simply boil the noodles and add the packet of seasoning and call it a day. While this is a great way to get a salty snack or an accompaniment to a meal, it leaves something to be desired in the form of a culinary delight. Okay, I am not advocating this as something that you might find on the menu for a four star restaurant, it is still something that you can enjoy on a night when you do not want to use seven pots and pans to make a quick dinner.

The best way that I have found to enjoy these in a quick manner is to make some Thai Style spicy peanut butter ramen noodles. The ingredients are simple. You will only need to have:

·         Chicken Ramen Noodles (1 package)

·         Creamy or Chunky peanut butter (1TBS)

·         Trader Joes Chili Pepper Sauce (1 tsp)

You can add other things like cabbage, boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, chicken or anything else you might want to have. I will sometimes add some slices of garlic just to make it REALLY offensive! The process is simple:

1.       Just boil the noodles with about one cup of water in a small pot just big enough for the noodles to fit in.

2.       Flip the noodles as soon as the water starts to boil.

3.       While the noodles are finishing, add into a bowl peanut butter and chili sauce.

4.       When noodles are tender, add in noodles and broth to bowl.

5.       Stir the broth carefully to fully incorporate the peanut butter and chili sauce.

6.       Add green onions, garlic or whatever else you might want or just eat them like this.

My wife used to laugh at me for making this until I got her to try just the broth. She is a staunch opponent to ramen noodles and she asked me to make her a bowl. If you don’t like it, I understand. All I am saying is that there are so many ways that you can something ordinary and make it worth your time.

Coffee and Tea for Me

Caffeine has long been an important part of my life. Ever since I discovered the great benefits that a big cup of coffee could provide me, I was all in. My addiction started in high school with the late night trips to Waffle House. This was a great way to have a place in which my friends and I could hang out for hours without ever getting hassled. We could drink buckets of coffee and make plans for how we would take over the world.

College was also fueled by coffee. It was able to bring the kind of late nights that I wished I had experienced in high school. Spending all night at the raves and doing whatever I wanted was a welcome relief from military school blues. I discovered Jittery Joes in Athens and started experimenting with “classy” coffees like cappuccino and latte. Through it all, I still came back to the standard coffee for which I have come to know and love.

After college, I started working in restaurants full time and learning the finer things about coffee. I learned about the kinds of beans that I liked best and the conditions which would allow me to get the kind of flavor that I liked best. I learned that I like hilltop, Arabica beans much better than Oceanside Robusta beans. I also learned that I am not a can of the common Italian roasts. I prefer a dark roast with nutty characters instead.

Teas started out as something which I liked more for herbal tastes than I did for black teas. I only ever enjoyed black tea when I was at the Chinese restaurant and I was drinking it with a meal. As I matured and discovered haunts like Teavana, I discovered the world of white teas and all of the other varieties. While I am far from a tea connoisseur, I am a bit more educated than the average tea bag drinker.

Through it all, I still prefer to have a great cup of coffee. I have a wonderful Krups coffee maker with a filter built in to make a perfect pot of coffee. I have not bought into the pod technology as it is just too much for me. I cannot fathom paying so much for coffee. I am spending enough to get the best coffee beans and a wonderful machine to make it with. I will keep it simple right now and keep feeding my addiction to caffeine in the way I like best.

Hectic Day in the Big A

There are many days in which you would like to just be able to get back into bed and pretend that it never happened. Today was a day that I would have rather have just extended out between four other days.

Getting by on three hours of sleep is something which should have been left behind from my days in college. It is amazing the ability that you have to get up whenever there are deadlines to be met and money to be made. I broke off from work last night to sleep at midnight and woke up at 3am to finish everything. I would have slept later, but we had to get out the door this morning at 7:30am.

So, anyone have some extra time that they would like to sell me? How great would it be if the world worked that way? You want to get some extra time in your day, you buy it from someone not using it like those in prison. They get what they want with a shorter sentence. You get what you want with more time on your hands to enjoy with your family or to make more money.

I am happy to have this problem as my problem is one of too much work and not enough time. I would rather have this problem than needing to have two nickels to rub together and no way to make any money for my family. The kids are in school, one of them being college, and we are able to pay our bills.

I would be remiss to say that life is good seeing as I am not able to enjoy the time that I should have with my family, but at least I am able to make sure that they are able to have the things that they want. I know that things will slow back down soon, so I am just riding it out until then.

During these hectic days in the A, I will simply overload on caffeine and have too much to drink whenever I get the chance. Until then, I will fight the stress by talking through platforms like this. Thank you to all of you out there reading this and I appreciate any well wishes you have to offer.

Valentine’s Day Trap

So, I was getting my taxes done the other day and I was having a discussion with my wife and the woman who was entering the information about our taxes. I informed them about the post I just made about Valentine’s Day and how guys need to not be fooled by the lure of not buying anything for the big V-Day. They both insisted that after a while, women do not want that. They would rather have a gift on a random day when no one is telling them to think about them. I gotta call BS on that one!

I can just imagine the day when I do NOTHING for Valentine’s Day. It might just be the last thing that I do as a married man. How do I know? I have made stutter steps in the past with her. Did something lackluster or unimaginative. While she SAID everything was all right, I could see it smoldering just under the surface that it WAS NOT! I have made up my mind that from then on, I was going to be doing something special on that day.

This year, I get the ultimate opportunity. She will be working in an office again this year. She will also be working on Valentine’s Day. I will be making sure that she is getting something at the office so that she will be able to have bragging rights. Even if it means that I am bringing it there myself, she is getting something that will make the rest of the office jealous. Guys, it is not about just doing something, mark my words! It is about doing something SPECIAL. Leave the flowers for a random day. Valentine’s Day is the day to SHINE!

I am the typical guy, so I do not know what I am going to do yet, but I know it will be special. She will be talking about this one for a while. The last time I went over the top when she was working in an office, I was the reason for three marriages and a baby. Amazing what a little showmanship can do to spark that kind of reaction! Do not be the guy met with an angry woman tapping her foot at the door because she saw someone else get something at work (ME). Be the guy along with me to give their women exactly what they want to have. Think of it as a get out of jail free car for you thanks to Valentine’s Day.