Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: December, 2008 (218) Currently Viewing: 151 - 160 of 218

December 20, 2008 at 4:12pm

Fun before the storm

CHRISTOPHER WOOD: 53RD AVE. N.E. AND 27TH ST. N.E. >>>

Hey all, hope the holiday season is going swimmingly.

Everyone getting a lot of snow in their area?

The roads are making it a wee bit hard to finish up my shopping. So, since I'm stuck at home, why not make a video for all you (possibly) similarly-marooned viewers? Here is my latest vid, my Christmas gift to you: (since I can't afford much else har har).


LINK: Lightyear Video

December 20, 2008 at 6:49pm

WINTER BLAST '08, MUTHAF******!!

MATT DRISCOLL: IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW, IT'S SNOWING >>>

If you haven't had a chance to flip on your TV and catch the news, it's snowing like crazy out there. It's total insanity. We're trapped in the octagon with vicious Mother Nature and she's got us in a full-on arctic headlock. Steve Pool and the others have taken shelter in their underground, double Doppler equipped, weathercaster bomb shelter. It's madness.

Anyway, tonight's Weekly Volcano sponsored Rock 'n' Carol - a Christmas party for Tacoma event has been impacted. Basically, we're not going to be there. In truth, my tires are bald as fuck and I drive without insurance on principal. And on a more serious note, nothing good could come of encouraging folks to drive in the midst of Winter Blast '08. The last we heard the Jive was still planning on being open, and a number of cool bands were still going to attempt to play, but it's still an hour and a half until 8 p.m. It's a long night in Mother Nature's frigid grip.

We really apologize. We wish it wasn't this way, but - alas - it is. We're already making hot buttered rum. The decision has been made.

And, fortunately, we still have the receipt for all those Lexuss (Lexi?) we bought you guys for Christmas. We got a good deal, anyway - with the economy and all. We even had them tie those ginormous ribbons on them that you see in the commercials. Oh well. We'll catch you next year.

Good luck and good night.

Filed under: Matt Driscoll, Music, Tacoma,

December 21, 2008 at 7:43am

Happy Birthday Broho!

MATT DRISCOLL: I WOULD TOTALLY MARRY THIS BAR >>>

Broho Anniversary If only it was February, not December, and Valentine’s Day was right around the corner instead of Christmas. Then the open love letter to The Brotherhood Lounge in Olympia that you’re about to read would make more sense.

You see, The Brotherhood isn’t just the best bar in Olympia, it epitomizes Olympia. The asses that fill the stools and booths at The Brotherhood are the same asses that make Washington’s most endearingly liberal community tick. Olympia is a beautiful place â€" a town not weighed down by too much backwoods redneckism or dollar-centric, blind conservatism. Whether this is because Olympia is home to the Evergreen State College â€" or, rather, this is why the Evergreen State College calls Olympia home is not important. What is important is Olympia is a diamond in the rough of Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm and all the track home filler in-between.

And The Brotherhood is a big part of that.

Tonight the Brotherhood will celebrate its sixth anniversary, and this will be one party you don’t want to miss. With music from Oly favorites Spider and the Webs along with Broken Water and Ten Little Indians â€" tonight's anniversary shindig will be hotter than a smoking game of shuffleboard or a political debate (both of which you’re also likely to find at The Brotherhood).

If you’re thinking to yourself “Wait a minute. The Brotherhood has been around for a lot longer than six years,” let me explain. The Brotherhood’s current owner and all-around nice guy, Pit Kwiecinski, purchased the bar in 2002 and revamped it â€" transforming it from a struggling watering hole to Oly’s coolest bar. That’s where the six years comes from. Kwiecinski’s research suggests the Brotherhood â€" which he describes as a “cozy, dark, warm cave” â€" has been around since the ’30s. He realized the building’s history when he bought it, and maintaining that history is something Kwiecinski has done with loving skill.

“I wanted it to be all Oly bands because we wouldn’t be here without Olympia,” says Kwiecinski when discussing the lineup for Sunday’s anniversary show. Despite current economic troubles, Kwiecinski reports business at The Brotherhood has maintained steady â€" surely a sign of both the continued need for booze (especially in times like these) and The Brotherhood’s spot in Oly’s heart.

“Ultimately, a physical space is inviting because of the people who come there and the people who work there,” says Kwiecinski. “I owe a lot to the staff.”

And Olympia owes a lot to The Brotherhood. Show your love this Sunday.

[The Brotherhood Lounge, Spider and the Webs, Broken Water, Ten Little Indians, Sunday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m., free, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153]

December 21, 2008 at 10:21am

Leap of the Day Tacoma Dome

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP 21 >>>

Leap-21 Wow, the Tacoma Dome people are on their snow removal game. Nice job Tacoma Dome.

Filed under: Holidays, Leap Of The Day, Tacoma,

December 21, 2008 at 3:04pm

Tacoma Photo of the Day

Filed under: Photo of the Day, Tacoma,

December 21, 2008 at 3:39pm

Dinner with DeRosa

STEPH DEROSA: BEST OF 2008 >>>

For over a year now, I’ve hosted imaginary dinners that included eclectic guests from all walks of life.  The first installment of Dinner with DeRosa was initiated sometime in November of 2007, and just like Matt Driscoll’s attempt at addiction recovery, it’s been downhill ever since.  I’d like to take this end of the year snow day as an opportunity to reflect upon my favorite dinners we’ve had here via Weekly Volcano Spew. 

Dinner-2008-SXSW In March Driscoll and I were sent to infiltrate Austin’s live music Mecca South By Southwest. Those Texans are some crazy catz.  Or birds.  Or something.

Dinner-2008-may-4-2008-DWD Dinner with DeRosa on May 4, 2008 was a doozy.  It was that week that I realized how epic my resentment toward all things evil actually was.  It was also then that I realized how much fun it was to simply release the cynicism and be free for fuck’s sake!

Dinner-2008-cowgirl-up

I also judged the Eagle 97.7 Sturgis Girl Model Search at Cowgirl Up in May.  What a debaucherous scene.  LOVED IT.  I found a few “fun” guests there as well.

Dinner-2008-three-hour-tour In June Love Tacoma set sail for a three-hour-tour â€" a three-hour-tour.  I found all the makings for a real-life Gilligan’s Island.

Dinner-2008-Cadet1 Tall Ships came to Tacoma in July.  I still make mini-porns in my dreams at night involving those fine-ass cadets. The trouble I got into that weekend, I will not soon forget.

Dinner-2008-Sue-Walla In August Hot Rod-A-Rama took the cake (and The KAke) as we set out on a socially powerful weekend.  I met Chris Walla’s mom, Sue Walla, who is by far one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.  Who cares that her son is the guitarist for a vocally tone-deaf Seattle band; Death Cab For Cutie?  She and her son are both A-OK in my book.

I think in the spirit of giving and holiday cheer I will finally admit something.  You ready for this?  Wait for it……..Wait for it…….Ok, here goes:  I actually like the song “Cath…” by Death Cab For Cutie.  Ugh. There, I said it. Don’t expect too much from me on this band, I’m still taking them in small doses.

Dinner-2008-Atom-Lewis-and- Finally, in October David Steele took his shirt off next to Atom Lewis at House of Tattoo.  What a memorable moment.  Let’s all have an honorary moment of silence in tribute to this historic occasion. 

Mangiamo!

Filed under: Steph DeRosa, Tacoma,

December 22, 2008 at 9:30am

Leap of the Day Brown and Haley

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP 22 >>>

Leap-22

December 22, 2008 at 9:37am

Holiday letter helper

SUZY STUMP: PRINT THIS OUT AND MAIL IT OFF >>>

Does your family like to compose those stupid holiday letters that nobody reads? Let me save you a little time during this busy season â€" just copy the letter below, circle the proper selections, fill in the blanks and voila! You’re done!


Dear ______________,

Hello again and Happy Holidays from the _________________! Hope you’re having a wonderful (Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Solstice/Tribal Council)!

2008 has been a (busy/difficult/drunken) year for us here in _______. Ever since Dad lost his job at the (plant/brewery/pharmaceutical testing lab), it’s been a little tough to make ends meet. Not to worry, though â€" Mom is picking up the slack by taking in (laundry/sewing/johns)!

The kid(s) are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Our (oldest/only) (son/daughter/stepchild/demon spawn) has managed to avoid (school/prison/dope) for another year, while little _______ shows signs of developing a real talent for (sport/music/marksmanship). Even better news â€" those trusty ol’ DNA tests have proven once and for all that our little brood is the fruit of Dad’s loins despite his insistence that the kid(s) (all) kind of look like (the mailman/his brother/Rachel Maddow).

On a sad note, we did lose (Grandpa/Grandma/Fluffy) this year. (He/She) always got a big kick out of (chasing cars/skateboarding/ streetcorner preaching), and the coroner said (he/she) probably never saw the bus that finally got (him/her).

Meanwhile, Cousin _______ did not fare well during (his/her) recent (stress test/gender crisis/parole hearing). Still, (his/her) (doctor/psychiatrist/warden) insists that (he/she) can expect a speedy (recovery/approval for implant surgery/execution).

Now some good news: Aunt _______ won a huge pot of cash playing (bingo/the lottery/high stakes poker) last October! Her winnings helped her family through Uncle _______’s recent (surgery/litigation/indecent exposure charges) with enough left over to pay for Auntie’s (BMW/defibrillator/personal masseuse from Argentina named Raoul).

Our friends and neighbors have had an interesting year as well. The family next door had to leave their home due to (mold spores/sheriff’s orders/our little one’s fascination with arson). The whole neighborhood turned out at the church down the street for a benefit supper for them which our family (organized/wasn’t told about).

For our best friends, the _______, 2008 was a year full of (joy/embarrassment/bench warrants). After a long and difficult time, they’ve finally gotten (new jobs/their dream home/divorced). 2009 can only get better!

That’s all the news from our home here in _____________.

If you’re ever in our neck of the woods, be sure and (stop by/drive past/pay us the money you owe us).

That’s about it for now! Have a great (Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Solstice/ Intifadah/Sortie) and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Us!

Filed under: Holidays,

December 22, 2008 at 11:23am

Sing for free tonight

SUZY STUMP: MESSIAH SING-ALONG >>>

Tired of missing out on The Rocky Horror Picture Show because your mom (cough!) won’t let you pay to see singing transvestites?  Well, you could always settle for the next best thing â€" singing Handel’s Messiah.

(streeeetch.)

A who’s-who of Olympia orchestras and choirs â€" Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, Masterworks Choral Ensemble, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, Olympia Choral Society, Olympia Symphony Orchestra and Opera Pacifica â€" perform Handel’s glorious masterpiece for you to sing along.

[Washington Center, Monday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., free, 512 Washington St., Olympia, 360. 753. 8586]

Filed under: Holidays, Music, Olympia,

December 22, 2008 at 12:20pm

Tossing Salad: Europa Bistro

STEPH DEROSA: INSALATA DI MARE >>>

Tossing-Salad-Europa-Cafe-1 Crouton Rating: Three out of four
Croutons-three

Before I showed my “Texan mom” attributes and drowned my entire family in a bathtub due to mass snowbound insanity, Mr. DeRosa thought it might be a wise idea to get me out of the house for dinner last night. It took us 35 minutes at 30 mph warp speed to finally settle in front of Proctor District’s Europa Bistro for some tasty Italian fare. He went for the pasta, and I craved a salad. A light, fresh, seafood and spinach salad to be exact.

Description: Atop a bed of fresh baby spinach lays a plethora of perfectly poached seafood. Calamari, salmon, shrimp, clams, muscles, and halibut are evenly tossed amongst a light lemon and olive oil dressing while ever-so-slightly wilting its baby spinach partner. Insalata di mare’s lemon dressing enhances the salad’s seafood by bringing out the fish characteristics, not drowning out the freshness.

Taste: The chef lets the food’s flavors speak for themselves. He forgoes the heavy hand on seasonings and salts, creams and dressings, and my most dreaded salad filler: croutons. I loathe croutons. What a waste of space. Who wants huge chunks of stale bread on something that could be flavored in other, more natural ways? Like bacon!

Conclusion: This salad is pure, natural, and unadulterated. Meaning it’s not too rich and filling. I can still enjoy a few glasses of wine, their VERY addicting bread dipping oil, eat this hearty protein-enriched salad, and not leave feeling like I’m about to give birth to a food baby. If I’m feeling lucky I might throw in a few bites of Europa Bistro’s antipasti. Yum.

Dressing on the side
I love bacon. Bacon makes everything better. But think about it â€" bacon is from the belly of a pig. When you begin to overanalyze your favorite foods, it can really gross you out. As another example, think about eggs. You are eating either an unborn chicken fetus, or a chicken’s unfertilized period. Gross. What about milk? It is a white liquid that comes from the teat of a cow. Would you go suck a cow’s teat? Well then why do you think it’s better just because it’s poured from a cardboard carton? Fact: humans are the only mammals who drink milk after their first year of life, and from another mammal. Why? Why do people drink milk? Sickening. I gag at the mere thought of drinking milk, and I’ve never drunk a glass of milk in my life. Have I ever broken a bone? NOPE.

[Europa Bistro, 2515 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.5660]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

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