Holy S**t...Dr. Phil???

Ok...so I posted this a few minutes ago and of course went back to check my links to make sure everything worked. But then I was distracted by a voice in the background. At 00:30 in to the clip there is a bald guy named officer Jager. Someone please tell me I'm not hallucinating and that really is my hero, Dr. Phil.

Dancing cop.

I am sure most of you have seen the story about the "Dancing Cop" in Rhode Island that comes out of retirement to entertain and direct drivers in his own special way. I just wonder if this might have been his inspiration.

Deep Ellum Fun...

It was Reininger family picture day today. Our wonderful and talented amiga, JenTraub, coaxed us way out of our comfort zone of the Northern Burbs. Past the PGBTP, past 635, past NW Highway. Heck, I figured we should have topped off the tank and popped in to see the folks in Austin we were so far south. But after we arrived in the urban jungle of Deep Ellum I started to feel at home. We have an area like this back in my hometown...good ol' 6th street.

Urban chic was the theme of the day. Weather was unseasonably warm for November. Anywhere but Texas that is. So much for the sweaters and pullovers my wife spent the last three weeks searching for. I brought my shorts and flip flops as an optional outfit but I was shot down on that one because these were supposed to be holiday photos. Humph!!!

Our lil' man was slow to warm up but after our photographer morphed into the blue power ranger she managed to coax smiles out while doing double round house kicks, dodging webs, and snapping away with utter skill. She truly is amazing.

Can't wait to see the results. I managed to snap a few of my own while Jen was doing her magic.

It's a girl...and a boy!!!

Just got back from our sonogram and now we know. We are having one of each...no doubt about it. This ends the 51 year drought of females in our family. Got great 3D pictures of the little girl's face and hands. The boy would only cooperate enough to let us see what we needed to see to know he was surely a boy. Men!!!

Now we can proceed with finalizing names and color schemes. Thank god the suspense is over but I cant believe we are well past half way.

8 interesting facts about nodnarB!

Thanks, JenTraub, for the tag and please excuse my tardiness in completing the task.

8. I can create martinis based on most any garnish I am given. During Girl Scout Cookie season there was The Thin Mint and The Samoa. During The holidays there are the Candy Cane, Pumpkin Pie, and Egg Nog. Any other time there are the M&M, Butterfinger, Krackle, Smoked Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, and the ever ubiquitous BeccaTini.

7. I talk faster than most northerners. I can get to rambling and my tounge can't keep up with my brain. I might have had a good career as an auctioneer.

6. I was born and raised in Austin. This may not seem so strange unless you have lived in Austin. Most consider themselves natives after 10 years of consistent citizenship. We few, proud, and still around swear that 70% of the people born there are abducted by aliens or swept up in government body farms for medical/psychological experimentation. After all...most Austinites are weird.

5. I have an amazingly accurate innate sense of direction. I can be blindfolded, drugged, flown to another time zone and be dropped into a featureless landscape at 2am on a moonless night and pretty well know what direction I am facing. Not that the aliens hovering over Austin ever did this to me...really.

4. I can weave a fairly convincing and seemingly accurate tale of astounding persuasiveness at the drop of a hat. This works well on small children, out of town relatives, and all but the least gullible adults. My wife calls this talent "Spewing Shit."

3. I love NASCAR. For all of you society types that think that NASCAR is nothing but a bunch of beer drinking bubbas that love to watch cars going really fast only making left turns and waiting for the most spectacular crash...you are right. That is 99.999% true. But then there are random fans like me who grew up with a stock car driving father that was more interested in the Daytona 500 that the SuperBowl. Don't get me wrong. I can grill up some Wagyu Ribeyes with a red wine reduction, grilled asparagus, and wasabi mashers served with a fine Temparnillo and then turn around and chase it all with a Miller Lite while screaming "Rubbin's Racin!!!!"

2. My sweet tooth atrophied sometime during junior high. I can't stomach a mouth full of sugar. I can have a Hershey's mini once a quarter and be just fine. Now spicy, salty, and sour. Bring it on!

1. I have pretty good palate. Not just for wine and spirits which helps in my job but for all food in general. I can try pretty much any dish and know whats in it and almost recreate it. This cuts down on our dining budget as long as I have the time/patience to cook.

There we go. A few little tid bits about me. I know I forgot one or two so maybe I will amend this later.

Double Time!!!

Well it is official. There are two viable embryos. We are excited, amazed, and pensive at the same time. It was better this time around. I didn't need supplemental oxygen or smelling salts to maintain consciousness. Debbie's biggest worry...how big she is going to get. Mine is coming up with another name if they are the same gender. C'est la vie!

Double Crossed!!!

Our next sonogram appointment was thankfully moved up to this Wednesday. I have both sets off fingers crossed. On one hand for healthy twins and on the other for one healthy baby. I can't wait.

Zen Sarcasm

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of
me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty
much leave me the hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt
and leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal
your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be
promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their
shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and
you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to
fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was robably worth it.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

18. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

19. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

20. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

21. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night"

I know it might be just twins. Its not like we are having a litter of six or seven but it is still a little overwhelming. You have to understand that I was going to be the eternal bachelor. The first time I got married having dogs seemed like a good supplement. Then I picked up two wonderful angels with my new wife. I love them deeply but they were already pretty independent when I was added into the mix. Now the thought of having two diaper changes, two bottles, two going to school...wow. And then I found this picture and had to laugh.

The Princess's New room

So Sassypants decided we needed to update the Girl's room while they were gone for the month since we have been promising her pink for a year now. Well being the Uber-mom that she is, she went above and beyond and recreated the likenesses of all the dogs in the "hood" and others that we love as well. She objected to me posting these but I sedated her and went forward anyway. And yes, she free handed all of these herself. I love my little artist.

My wife said I like dogs more than people.










I had a hard time arguing.

Restaurant Tag

Blah blah blah about the art of tagging and having to respond. Ask me about restaurants and I will happily divulge. The hardest thing is narrowing it down to 5. Anywho...here I go.

5. Plouf A small French mussel and seafood restaurant in Belden Alley in San Fran. This is truly European style dining in the States. Bumping elbows on a cramped banquet while taking in the smells of the best steamed mussels and fresh baguette. 14 different choices of broth and pomme frites to die for. On nice evenings they take over the alley with small tables and chairs turning it into a true Parisian experience right here in the States. It is almost enough to make you start speaking in a funny accent and wearing a beret.

4. Bella Italia West On the "Bricks" in Ft Worth. This little gem is so amazingly unassuming that it barely deserves a second glance when you drive by. But don't let the white washed cinder block building with a cheesy red, white, and green awning turn your nose up in the air. The chef is off the boat Italian. He was one of the first in Texas to incorporate wild game into his menu. The wine list is the most extensive Italian list in the state and one of the best in the States. They have your usual fare of Americanized pastas and entrees, but you should shop from the back side of the menu and try the ostrich w/G3 sauce, the wild boar tenderloin, or the buffalo bone in rib eye. Grab a bottle of Allegrini La Poja from the Veneto and let your eyes roll back into your head in culinary bliss. The bar has one of the best grappa selections and ordering a nice Poli barolo grappa includes the chef joining you for a toast. Do try this place.

3. The French Laundry Called "The Best Restaurant In America" by just about every food. wine, and lifestyle publication at least once. In the heart of Napa Valley, Cali. This is hands down the most consistent high end restaurant around. Consistent in quality, innovation, services, and execution. The 11 course degusatazion menu with wine parings is so far over the top on luxury and flavor it is almost criminal. A bowl of fresh saffron risotto with white truffle shaved like little pepperoni rounds completely covering the top. Makes you wanna scream, "Great Googlemoogle!" The service is so perfect it almost seems mechanical. Courses removed, silver marked, courses served all with white glove service in a phantom like style. One of the hardest reservations to get and a dinner tab that rivals most car payments. If you can...

2. Trudy's This place obviously has a following since I think I am the third one in this group to mention it. Classic Tex-Mex with excellent consistency and quality. The original location by campus has a great patio where you can enjoy the best margaritas and Mexican martinis around. Every time we are in town we make at least one stop.

1. Asti/Fino Two restaurants get to share top billing since the same minds are behind their creation. Emmit and Lisa Fox have made these siblings two of the best in Texas and rivals for restaurants across the country. Asti is a kitschy little joint in the hear of Hyde Park. Phenomenally flavorful yet simple food with a great wine list and groovy energy. Fino is the younger but more trendy creation that has taken it up a notch. Kick ass cocktails and truly unique food from a great mind. Get lost on the 2nd floor patio with a some friends and few bottles of Prosecco or meet a date at the bar and increase your chances by getting her Strawberry Basil Mojito.

Honorable Mentions: Wink, Roy's, Schelville Grill, Siena, Plumpjack, South Park, Las Manitas (Avenue Cafe), Changos,

There are so many others that I know I missed since I used to consider dining out a recreational activity.

I have a short list of blogger friends and most of you have been tagged but...I tag St. Rich. MV mom, if you could let him know, I would appreciate it.

Where does jelly come from?

A conversation with the boy this morning.

Boy: "I don't like jelly."

Me: "Why?"

Boy: "Because it comes from jellyfish, and I don't like fish."

Me: *Laughing my ass off*

Boy: "And how do they not get stung when they get the jelly from the jellyfish?"

Me: I now have tears in my eyes and am having a hard time driving...

The more prohibitions you have, the less virtious people will be.

The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.

The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be.

---Loa-tzu, Tao Te Ching

American Idolatry

Who would have thought that an updated version of Star Search hosted by a gruff, self serving, egoist, a pill popping, glassy eyed, bimbo, and a monosyllabic, washed up, coat tail grabber would become the new fin de secile for our society?

The cute faced starletts look out to the one eyed souls catchers giving the best puppy dog eyes they can muster after 16 weeks of sleep deprivation and PR spots hoping that the populous will enter their digits into their $300 razor phone with the pink and black bejeweled cover.

They recreate oldies, newbies, classics, and show tunes. Singing for their future by recreating the past with their own personal twist. They suffer the daggers of criticism from the bi-polar Stalin Cowell. Rambling babbles from Mwuah Abdul. Four legged verbal high five references followed by a few grunts and guttural noises from Neanderthal Jackson.

P.T. Seacrest keeps the nation and world in suspense with his well rehearsed and predictable, yet still shocking commercial segways. Advertisers have a chip implanted in his brain that short circuits his neurons before all exciting revelations and causes him to mutter another "when we return, after theses messages, following a commercial break" blurb.

More popular than a presidential election, CSI, homework, books, or even God himself. More contested and debated at school, work, and restaurants. This is the new world sermon from which we all judge good and bad. Right and wrong.
The college of TV cardinals is now headed by a group from FOX. They have made a puppet of the Pope of broadcasting. They bring more converts and money to the church of entertainment than any other. Their pulpit is sought after, TIVOed, and downloaded en masse. Their missionaries are fervent and dedicated. Chastising all who have not heard the message and forcing into capitulation the individual souls that decided to watch The Gilmour Girls instead.

"If I don't watch it I won't have anything to talk about at work...". "OMG! Let's plan a watching party at my house...you bring the chips and salsa!" "$2 drafts and $3 wells plus half price appetizers. 35 TVs to watch the final 3 on..."

American Idolatry.