Time to Breath

Me and Linda after
she decorated my goatee

The world is seemingly nothing of what it was 8 months ago.  I thought I had an appreciation for the change ahead in my life, I thought I knew what I was getting into...little did I know I was about enter a world so many long for and don't even realize it.  A world where people are genuine, a world where someone's word is worth far more than a claim check, a world where you start asking about your friends if you haven't physically seen them in a few days, a world that can be so busy that you blink in November and open your eyes in March, a world I wouldn't trade for anything...

It's been a crazy busy few weeks - Brian is down for a visit, Eric got arrested, I made it on the board for the Tour Operator Association...plenty of other stuff happened.  Mark, General Manager of The Phoenix (a multiple winner of the #1 Resort in the Caribbean) paid my staff an amazing compliment yesterday.  He told me that he was so impressed at how they cared for everyone on the Sunset Sail and that even though they ran, jumped, cleaned, served, and hustled the entire time, because of the smiles and great attitude they exuded it didn't look like they had worked a minute. A team that truly loves their job will never work, but have fun living life and the things we do.  So blessed that is my team.

Eric singing "Kiss me I'm Shit Faced"

Saint Paddy's Day...wow...I'm not sure I know how I survived that odyssey.  It was fun partying with my man Tomas, operator of Hostel la Vista.  The night started innocently enough at Lola's...but the night got crazy once we got to Pedro's.  Eric sang karaoke, Brian and I watched and enjoyed some killer beef stew.  I danced some two step with a very nice lady I've met many many times...I can never remember her name (I want to say Kristen...but not quite). What makes it worse is I have NO problem remembering her friends name - cause she's hot and single (both are totally hot, but the one I danced with is married...though I should really remember her name cause her and her husband Randy are cool people - Canadians...of course they're cool). After Pedro's - no comment (5 hours of my life I would have rather slept through)...but David, you're broken selfie stick is still in my house.


So Eric was arrested last week - briefly!  He resembles a guy wanted for murder apparently.  The police treated him extremely well and he treated them with respect and kindness as well - cooperating with each request quickly and smoothly.  Luckily Brian was around to go back to the house and collect Eric's ID.  He found me and we went to the station to prove my brother's innocence. When we arrived he was already un-cuffed and sitting there; the officers apologized for the confusion, and my brother being the stand up guy he is (even at 2am), told them they had nothing to apologize for and that he appreciated them trying to keep us all safe.  Wise words young lad.

The sobering part of that was a few nights later.  We ran into a woman that stopped us, she said she was so sorry that my brother got picked up by the police.  You see this is the woman that came to the station before Brian and I got there and had told the police Eric wasn't the guy...the guy that killed her son.  The world is small...on an island it is microscopic.

This is the greatest place on Earth.  The people of San Pedro Belize and more amazing than anticipated.  There is no doubt in my mind that Ambergris Caye should win #1 Island in the World every year.

I really wanted to hit the emotions surrounding the loss of my dog Bailey the other day...but this post is long enough.  Suffice it to say that it made me more than a little sick, and thinking of the past.

Okay, its a been a couple days and I have a bit more writing mojo; Bailey (pictured left); passed away a few days back.  He was the weirdest damn dog.  You could hold this dog and pet him 23 hours a day, and by goodness the second you removed your hand he was so incensed and looked at you like you must hate him.  We had a fun little game, cause he would let you put him in all sorts of weird places and not issue a single bark, called "Where's Bailey".  He ended up in coolers, dryers, back packs, boxes...you name it, he was likely there.

  Eh, emotions and such.  Just need a bit of time to breath.
 

Kiteboarding Adventures on Ambergris Caye

Kiteboarding Belize...wow.  Over the years I've seen plenty of crazy people doing this sport and thinking they were bat shit crazy. Likely they are - but I hope to count myself among them!  I had many preconceptions about this sport that have vastly been proven wrong. An absolutely enormous thank you to Andy with Belize Sailing Center and Audrius the KiteXplorer instructor in San Pedro, Belize. Thank you so much for the invite - awesome experience and I will continue my kite education. There are so many great learning opportunities through this great organization - www.belizesailingschool.com


I've always been into some semi-extreme action sports; snowboarding and mountain biking.  So putting a board on my feet and going fast is nothing new - and water is softer than snow right?!  Not so much.  Audrius said, during my lesson, that I had the best kite control by a first day student he had ever seen.  Was this a move to boost my ego and get a good review?  If so - it worked.  But I was amazed at how well I was able to feel the kite and know what to so to get it where I needed it to be.

I've decided to tail the tale via my busted misconceptions about this sport.

Super easy and super quick rigging

Misconception 1 - Stupid amounts of gear, stupid amounts of set up (kinda like a baked potato if you know me at all).  Even as a guy that had to be walked through everything we had the kite setup and ready to fly in maybe 15 minutes.  The gear fit easily into packs, was REALLY light to carry, and not at all the cumbersome mess and cords and crapola I had been expecting. One trip to the boat is all it took; I took more junk to work most days in my previous life.

tacogirl.com - Audrus keeping her from
taking flight!

Misconception 2 - You have to be skinny and sexy and in great condition.   I'm a big dude, decent shape for my size, but still big.  My classmate on this day was tacogirl.com - the skinniest person I've ever known.  I was sure she was gonna disappear into the sky forever...she did not.  Though she did some pretty gnarly face plants.  The way the kite is attached to the harness takes the pressure off your arms and allows your whole body to feel the kite.  Your arms essentially hang free - only used to control the kite.  I was expected a huge pulling force on my arms, and it doesn't exist.  I can see how even a non athletic person can kite for hours.  Caye Caulker here I come!

Taking a stroll on the beach with 'teach'

Misconception 3 - I'm gonna slam into Caribbean Villas trying to learn this thing.  HECK NO.  We were taken to the back side of Ambergris Caye to this HUGE area in the flats.  There was a beach, sand bar and endless amounts of real estate to allow the kite to body drag us in waist deep water.  No hotels or docks to worry about, no deep water to struggle in.  Tons of space where we didn't have to worry about people or things - just us and our instructor.  Something else missing - NO Sargasso!!  The water was clean and free of the evil weed.

Embarrassing moment of the day - during one of my body drags I hit a shallow part of the sandbar, drug my waist on it...shorts hit my knees.  I'm happy to say I maintained kite control and got my pants up before anyone noticed.

No one around to worry about - can
learn all over this place!!

So if you've ever even fleetingly considered this sport...do it. Head down and do some sailing in Belize at the Belize Sailing Center at Caribbean Villas, and schedule a lesson.  Here's the caveat, let me know when you're going cause I want to come too.  I need to work on my kite control and body drags so I can graduate to a board!

It's Always the Team

There's a grip of things to talk about - but man I'm having a hard time finding the motivation, and if I keep putting it off then it will be such old news no one will really care (I typed that a week ago...so now it is all REALLY old new. Also, the more I think about it, the more I think I want to go a completely different way.  So - I think I'll just throw some pics up with very brief descriptions and hit topics largely unrelated to any of the weeks happenings.

Grant got married - 10 minute ceremony and hours of party...perfect.  Carnaval happened.  That was a wikked cool experience!  Bought clothes just to destroy them.  Went to a party with Captain Jack Sparrow as an official rum taster for an world famous blogger.  My official review - "the rum was...liquidy". Actual I had more to say, check it out on the tacogirl.com site - //tacogirl.com/tiburon-rum-white-a-night-of-flavorful-fun/.
Went on the best Sunset Sail of all time in celebration of Niles (you know him as "Jake from State Farm") and Parker (you know him as the dude I mouth shared a muffin with).  Killer Sail, no other words to describe the fun times had that day.

Roan - Dive Master, Charter Chef
Speared Lion Fish and served it up!

But after the last couple weeks I need to acknowledge that the fun can be had only because of the work.  I owe a great debt to my parents for educating me in my youth that work leads to fun if done right.  So I do my best to do work right; and I am most blessed to have a team that does the same.  Even today (now a couple days ago...I'm a slaker) our General Manager and I were talking about how amazing each and every one on our team truly is.

Charlie - Dive Master, Charter Captain,
Cooking at staff BBQ

We have a crew that comes in and works 6 days a week as a standard.  During busy season it can easily become 7 days a week, and a few of those 12 hours a day (anytime we sail).  The guests at the start of the day express the same amazement as those getting off the sails 12 hours later - utter amazement that each team member is bouncing all over the boat, smiling, cleaning,

Greg - What doesn't this guy do!
Amazing all around Tour Guide

feeding, whatever to take care of the guest...all while truly enjoying the experience.

Janel - Life of the shop!

As part of my job I try to expand our guest base, draw in business from new sources, etc.  I've been working on a tough nut to crack just down the beach that has strictly patronized a local "mega shop" that shall remain nameless.  They sent us 3 divers for a week; one of which was a student.  The 2 experienced divers have been to Belize several times, stayed at the "Tough Nut" and dove with the "Mega Shop" each time.  They left today feeling like our family; and minutes later that "Tough Nut" called me to set up a meeting for next week (now this week!) to send us more divers and set up packages for the future...win...courtesy of the little things this team does daily that no one else delivers...no one.

Shorty - Dive Master, Charter Captain
doing his best to cuddle Pops on a cold ride

I realize I need more picks!  I don't have any good shots a few team members...

As a leader it is always important to remember that you are your team.  Their performance opens the doors.  Their dedication lifts the operations.  I do nothing but help facilitate their greatness.

My bit of managerial advice for the day - don't worry about your guests, don't worry about your potential sources of business; but worry about only one thing.  As a manager (or owner) your focus should be singularly on your team.  Treat them better than they deserve, and let them then live up to that expectation.  Chances are they will.  If you treat your team better than your family - they will shine that to your guests, that word gets out, success will follow.

Thank you to each and every member of the Ecologic team.

Fish, BBQ, Boogers...er, ah, Bloggers!

Me and Boola - not my fish... 

Couple minor adventures have taken place since last we spoke. Went deep sea fishing for the first time, ate some BBQ at a fundraiser BBQ cook off thing,  Likely some other cool stuff I'm just not remembering right now...will work on that.  Fun stuff and some food porn ahead.

Gaylynn & Morgan

The Godfather and his Wahoos

So yeah - fishing.  I'm not a big fisherman.  I love going to the river, lake, or pond with my pole and chair.  Though I usually cast out an empty hook so I can just sit and enjoy nature all day. I mean really, who wants a bunch of fish ruining your day by making you work? I think I've covered this in a blog already - but meals I have to work for are not meals I'm interested in.  Fish is fine and all, but not interested in wrestling the bastards myself, just like I don't like to peel, though I love to eat, shrimp and I would be SO much happier if baked potatoes came out of the oven split open, insides mixed up with butter, salt, and pepper already in there.  We can genetically engineer anything! I've eaten apples that taste like grapes (so good). When will my damn potato have butter, salt, and pepper pre-grown into it?!  Can't be that hard.

Oh yeah, sorry - fishing.  We rode in a boat, we caught WAY to many fish for my liking, we went home, cleaned fish, bought a taco for dinner.  Eric pulled in a Wahoo, I pulled in about 30 billion Barracuda (couple monsters too), but the big winner was the Godfather; Shawn pulled in 2 Wahoo showing us all how it is done.  The most interesting moment was when a fish got off the gaf still alive, people were jumping out of the way all over - poor Victor took a mighty fin slap to the harry boys...I haven't seen him since but I assume he survived. Another fun moment was when a Barracuda we thought was dead came roaring back to life - leapt out of the box as a vampire barracuda I'm sure.  It went right for the Godfather's achille's (just like in 1000 Ways to Die!!).  Luckily Shawn's stealthy reflexes meant he was able to narrowly escape a certain death.  I highly recommend ForTuna - another great Ecologic partner.  Call us to book!  Full day and half day tours are available.

Who wants some Wahoo?!

My pile of Barracuda - well, mostly mine

"We pull up fish after fish...one of these times I just want it to be a cow." - Easton Beymer (mid way through our sail across the Caribbean, Tuna were plentiful...cows not so much).



4th Annual BBQ Fundraiser - I was kinda bummed cause I thought it was the 3rd Annual and was gonna have so much fun with how they say "turd" instead of 3rd down here...but it was the 4th annual, so I pretty much flushed my whole comic routine right down the crapper.  See what I did there?  Turd - crapper...hehehe. <--- poop jokes - another reason I'll never be a professional booger...er ah, blogger.

Sunshine doing the 50/50

Keith and bank rocking the event

 First a note - I did not win the 50/50 draw...but I know the lady very well that did. Though I won't mention the name of a big cash winner on the internet I will say that I cannot think of a more deserving person to have won this draw!  Thank you so very much to all the people that contributed their hard earned money to the Sunshine folks - very worthy cause, and know that the lady that won the pot is a great contributor to our community and is an overall star of human kind!

My plate of angel ribs

Boola about to chow

 This is where I tell you about all the different ribs right?  Not so much.  I'll leave that to the professionals, I'm gonna go rogue...largely cause I don't know who won.  I do know that my personal favorite was the judge's choice!  Yellow was amazing because of the spice...OMG...yum.  It was far to hot for the other people at my table, but it was just a phenomenal heat and flavor.  So often people will go for hot and forget about flavor; but this was the perfect combination of the too.  I do know that Charles, the reigning champ and host, was not in my top 3 for voting...so Charles. However - I voted largely on flavor, and I like spice. Charles had one very important thing going for him; best cooked by far.  His meat fell off the bones. The other guys all had the problem that I had to rip and pull with my teeth.  When Charles's rib touched my lips the meat jumped off the bone and landed in my mouth.  Thank you for that Charles.  I do need to know one thing - who made those beans?!  Holy delicious sides that made the meal!  I'm guessing Estel's, and therefore 'Charles was in charge' of it.  They were amazing.  Some sort of meat in there, or just 1/2 crushed beans...not sure, just amazing.  I'd eat a bowl of just those.  In fact - I'm going to Estel's for breakfast tomorrow.  Join me?

So it was a good time!  In closing - I've left a little game below.  We have a couple famous bloggers on the island; both of which I'm fortunate enough to know.  If you look at the picture below you will see - what could be - the only picture in the known universe to capture them both (neither terribly well, but this is a once in a lifetime shot that couldn't be passed up).  That's right, I captured two famous bloggers with one stealthy shot.  These famous bloggers are often read, but rarely photographed; where as I am often photographed and rarely read. One of them may have even authored a threat that I was "going down!" if I posted this picture...well I trip regularly, and my readership is an astonishing 5...really I'm surprised the internet hasn't removed me already. Therefore I find the threat very interesting.  Where am I going to go down to?  (Answer required....)  So if you made it all the way to the bottom of this then you have two options; consider yourself one of five people in the world with truly exceptional taste, or wonder what the hell you're doing with you life and go outside and play.  I for one am about to go outside and play.

Find and name the Bloggers and win a PRIZE!!!!

Iranian saying of the day - 'When two camels pass in the desert, then they were going opposite directions.'

Wolverine Slept at My House

Skitchin' is a common method of transport around here - grab onto a cart and let them power your bike.  Roads are bumpy so pictures can by difficult...especially lining up a panorama shot! Great shot given the conditions Sara.

I'm not sure where to go with this blog post - it was a pretty busy week and weekend; plenty of blog worthy bits and at different times thought about going so many different ways with it.  So I think I'll just start on the adventures of life on Ambergris Caye side of things and see where it takes me.

Bottom row (L to R) - Mark, Matt, Linda
Me. Upper row (L to R) - Maria, ??, ??

First I would like the humbly apologize to the lady in the back row of that picture on the left there - see she's picky something out of her teeth...or maybe getting ready to eat a booger...not sure (she's not eating a booger!!  That was a joke people!!).  Either way - I had to roll with this picture as it's the only one I took.  David and Linda were kind enough to invite us on their catamaran (the Cas Cat) for a Sunset Sail.  It was a nice little trip.  I really enjoy being on the water and the great thing about their boat is being much closer to the water, you can hear and feel it (though once the sun goes away you really don't want to feel it).  Fantastic Rum Punch as well!!  It was a great time with great friends.  Very happy to have them as friends, neighbors and business colleagues.

View from Amber @ Caribbean Villas

Super Sunday!!  And apparently there was some sort of game being played?  My view started at Caribbean Villas - where we began what became a 12 hour rum odyssey. Watching the ocean, sipping some drinks, listening to DJ Hoy...good times.  It was fairly interesting when I looked around the table and realized that of the dozen or so there - only 4 of us were Americans.  Just an interesting realization that my current "social group" is really short of Americans. Only a few months ago it was 100% US folk and now here I am and my group was 33% US folk - and two of them don't usually hang with us.  Diversity is a great thing - and really makes life a lot more fun (potential blog topic...maybe another time).

Superbowl @ Sandbar

On to that Superplate or Dumperbowl or whatever 'sportsing' event took place.  We caught the first 1/2 at Sandbar which is a nice little spot just north of us; amazing pig roast...OMG they can roast a piggy. At this point me and the Boola are about 6 hours into our RumBowl; by the time I worked out the math on what seemed like a light bill I realized I kinda forgot to tell the bartender I ate a plate of pork...so I didn't get charged for it...so I totally owe you guys some money. I hear the pizza is really good too; some day soon I hope to find out!  And pay for my delicious pork meal *insert Homer Simpson drooling noise now*.

SuperBowl @ Lola's

 TO LOLA'S!
On to watch the half time show and the second half of the contest of sport.  Half time was exciting - Sara and I were REALLY hoping for a complete wardrobe malfunction...didn't happen, but I did get to see my boobs later that night (okay mid the next morning).  Lola's was crazy busy, but all hands were on deck and drinks were coming out quick.  Met a cool judge man from Mississippi and his daughter and her friend...but that is a story for my man Mark to tell.  I was however fortunate enough to run into a woman I've been "crushing on" (I think is what the kids say these days).  It was brief, she was on her way out with her friends - headed up to their local bar.  I did get a touch, a smell, and smile - about all I need these days.  Anymore tends to lead to train wrecks - though I may have to spend a bit more time at her local bar now!  

Me and Mark

SIDE NOTE - "Local Bar" has a very different meaning down here.  In the States my favorite local watering hole was about 1.5 miles away and I past several drinking establishments on the way.  In San Pedro - my local bar is 100 yards away - and 'cute lady I may have no chance with but you'll all know as it will be blog worthy either way's' local bar is about 3/4 a mile away.  3/4 mile is not local down here...it's a journey - one I am most willing to make!

Here's my full, complete, and very in depth analysis on the OkayFork, or water that contest of sport was - Two groups men sported in a competitive fashion. One of the groups sported better than the other group; which lead to them achieving a greater number of tally marks, thus they were named as the victor of the contest.  

I've been drinking for 8 hours, my own brother just went to bed.  I should too...screw that - I'm hanging out with Wolverine, and the Reef View Massive! TO PEDRO'S!!!

From here on out it's really Marc's story to tell - a story of hot chicks, lust, and ultimate loss (none for me, which I'm cool with, too much trouble).  It was an adventure, but not my adventure.  I just chatted with Matt, Linda, Keith, and Amy for a few hours...ended up at Central Park with a great steak burrito and calm night all in all...the way I like it.  headed home..

Or are we - no... TO JAGUAR'S!!!
Okay we didn't make it to Jags...long story I don't feel like recounting - also not my story to tell again!  Fun night, fun day, awesome to hang out with new friends - good luck on the world journey Mark, and I'm happy as heck to let a great guy use my apartment.  That's right people - Wolverine slept in my house.

View from Greg's back yard

Me and Greg

Back to work - for a day - then hung out with Greg and the Ecologic cast for his BDay at night.  I have a great team of people.  So much fun to hang out with them, and Greg makes an amazing chicken dip!

I really should go work now.  My buddy Brian in coming in about a month for "a month" (it's really 3 weeks...)...may effect my productivity.


For the record it's been 4 hours since my last proof read and I did no work...

Meeting with Myself (aka - That hooker may stab me yet)

I'll try and throw some random pics in this post to keep your interest...but in reality it's mostly words and thoughts and hooker that wanted to fight me - I'm sure you're thinking "a hooker fight would make for a good photo/video op"...and I'm sure you're right; however that wasn't top of mind at the moment.  For the protection of the innocent and out of lack of desire to call out the guilty I have changed many of the names (but not all) in this passage.  Over the past couple weeks I've really been looking at life, and the interrelationship of long term and short term "happiness".  What does it take to achieve them? Can you have both? Or will one destroy the other?

This isn't a 'hold my beer and watch' or 'so shit there I was' story...though I was holding a drink, and if I must be honest tasting Carla's Sweet Nipples.  Sorry Jake From Statefarm..but they are sweet.  Okay before you think I'm being a horrible ass; this is a drink that Jake invented moments earlier named after his girlfriends sweet nipples (I don't know that they are sweet, but I due trust Jake wouldn't lie about his girl's nipples).  I really like typing the word nipples.

Deliciousness interlude - went to Casa Picasso with Boola (aka - Eric) - Lobster Sliders and Filet...

Lobster Slider from Casa Picasso

Filet from Casa Picasso

Let me just say that the filet was amazing...mmmm.  The Lobster Sliders - out of this world.  In the words of Eric "holy shit....for the first time in months I forgot about In-N-Out." The bun is crisp, yet butter exists in massive amounts in there somewhere. This dish truly defeats at least two laws of physics...

Here's where the heavy starts.  Didn't realize it at the time - but 6 hours later, at 4am, with a lot of rum in my blood, and loads of water in my tummy, it landed.  Really it's still landing; or at least the rippling effects and implications of the life lesson.  The truth behind the night.  The introspective odyssey was beginning, and it all started with a guy named "Raven".

So I'm drinking a Carla's Sweet Nipples when Raven walks down the bar, passing plenty of vacant stools, opting to take his place beside me.  A true 'salty dog' sailor if I've ever met one.  Shoulder length gray hair, a beard far more full and masculine than I can grow...also grayed by the years. He had about 40 years on me; most spent sailing around the Mediterranean - a few pretty crazy adventures I enjoyed hearing about - with his most recent years being spent in the mountains of Mexico.  He had spent his life jumping from adventure to adventure; and had no doubt achieved short term happiness in bunches.  You could see it on his face as he talked.

Fun times interlude - Another fun experience with the Boola.

Sunset Sailing

Happy Birthday Sunset Sailing

 It was very nice cruising around and watching the sunset on Eric's birthday.  Good Times for sure.  If you haven't experienced a Sunset cruise with us...WTF?  Realy?!  Call me...maybe.  Is that still a thing?  Still don't understand it - getting old.

After a drink and some chat he disappeared down the street...only to return a few minutes later with two 'hourly friends'.  He took his seat at the other end of the bar; gave me a nod and wave, and bought his rented sense of happiness a couple drinks (dust starts settling in the mind).  Their to go cups full of booze came; and Raven paid for the drinks.  That's when the got interesting in two ways...

You'll hear about my hooker fight in the next interlude (interesting way #1); for now let's stay with the main feature - as I gave Raven that 'see you later' wave, and that's when I saw it in his eyes.  His face smiled; but the eyes were empty.  He was headed out with short term happiness, and the eyes showed his knowledge that it wasn't leading to long term happiness.

None of this really landed till hours later, but sure enough it was there...finally, and after weeks of 1/2 thoughts it was complete (though the ripples still flow through my consciousness).  My answer is that to be short sighted and seek happiness in the short term is not necessarily a bad thing - but you do have to be prepared to accept that an inevitable consequence can very well be the loss of long term happiness.

"So Shit There I Was" interlude - Raven had paid for his drinks.

Photo completely unrelated
to the story...just needed a picture.

He was leaving with his new friend "Lazy Lizard"; and being the nice gent he is put a pretty little tip out for my pal Bartender Mo - the hardest working bar tender in all of Belize.  He earns those tips...but apparently Lazy Lizard didn't think so - she reached over and stole my friends tip.  Before my brain even knew what my mouth was going to say, "You fucking bitch" went flying from my lips and smacked her right in the face from across the bar.  She of course hit DEFON 4, black out, I'm gonna kill a guy mode.  Screaming at me and about to flying through the air and rip my face off...but luckily for me her desire to make some money over ruled her desire to kill me.  Her friend carried her off into the night; still with my friends money in her pocket.  I'd like to think I could take an 80 pound hooker in a fight...but she looks like a crafty one.

I'm not about to pretend I have all the answers.  Though I now very much understand that happiness and "good" are intertwined on both a short and long term basis.  Making decisions to satisfy short term happiness must lead to a long term good as well.  I won't talk about the specifics of why I've been pondering this - but it very much comes down to decision making.  If you choose a short term happiness you better make sure it may not negate a potential long term happiness.  Not always easy to see, or understand...but you owe it to yourself to try.  Short and long term happiness are not mutually exclusive by any means; but we have a choice in short term happinesses.  I will do my best to choose the ones that lead down the path to long term happiness.  At times that may mean sacrificing a short term happiness so it doesn't interfere - I just pray to be wise enough to recognize those times.

I doubt I'm making much sense at this point - big finish time...

I suppose Raven was just a guy visiting Belize.  Though I feel like I sat beside myself.  I came in and showed me what would be if I stopped looking at the long term.  I don't want to be an old salty dog sailor with hourly friends.  I'm gonna choose to make decisions for a long term happiness.

Kinda hoping I live long enough to find said long term happiness...but that hooker may stab me yet!

Food Porn...Top 5 Life Dining Experience

www.facebook.com/CasaPicassoBelize
casapicassobelize.com/

My mother raised me to believe that if I had nothing good to say, then I should just say nothing. I recently dined at Casa Picasso here on Ambergris Caye...and this could be a very long blog!  If you figure I've generally eaten 3 meals a day for 35 years...then I've eaten roughly 38,325 meals.  This one is easily in my top .00013% (or top 5 for easier reference).  My friends Matt, Sara, and Karen were kind enough to invite me and even pay my tab - it was a most excellent surprise that Barb, Joe, Tacogirl (Laurie), and Paul were also able to join.

The menu, for me, was like what a nudie mag is to most men - I couldn't take my eyes off it.  My mouth watered from beginning to end.  I decided on the Chef's Tasting menu (a Thursday special); since it was also Chef Ben's Birthday and he was cooking a sampling of his personal favorites from home...how could this possible be anything but excellent?! Didn't hurt that I was two Watermelon coolers (aka - the "Matt Hoys") in by the time the first course arrived.  I'm not usually a Vodka man, but you couldn't taste it at all - trust me, it was there...but you couldn't taste it behind the watermelon/ginger yumminess.

1st Course - Spicy Tuna Rolls

Course numero uno...not sure where it went?!  It was on the plate, then I blacked out...and it was gone.  I'm not huge on sushi, but I fancy the occasional roll; usually lean toward a Cali or Spider though.  This Tuna Roll...it rivals even the best tuna that I've pulled out of the ocean and eaten right away.  The best part of this roll was a lack of rice. It had rice, but it wasn't 80% rice like so many other joints.  With the smaller amount of rice you could actually taste the tuna and veg...and savor the magical interaction of the soy and wasabi without having to fight through all that damn rice!  Best. Sushi. Ever.

2nd Course - Buffalo Fingers 

Up next - Buffalo Chicken Fingers..."move over buffalo wings" exactly!!!  I traded Matt a finger for some of his pancetta with bruschette (I'm sure I spelled neither of those correctly) - which was also amazing...as was the taste of the cauliflower dish Sara let me try (it may have been my favorite of the night actually).  Anyway, back to my buffalo fingers.  Ah....ah...maze...ing.  I'm going to run out of ways to say that by the end of this entry.  Perfect amount of batter to chicken, spice of the sauce was a real nice follow up to the wasabi from the previous course.  I loved that the celery was cut very thin.  The blue cheese was there in a ramican...where it remained till the dish washer cleaned it cause NOTHING can make those fingers taste better; especially not molded cheese.

3rd Course - Bacon Jam, Mac & Cheese 

Next up...Bacon Jam, Mac, & Cheese.  I mean really - do I need to say anything else about this?  With 3 of us at the table getting the Tasting Menu everyone was able to sample this dish, that could have only been delivered straight from heaven on the wings of angels. In an effort to truly experience this dish the body literally shut down other senses; your eyes closed your hearing faded; you could no longer feel your fork on your fingers.  The world melted away...leaving your olfactory and taste buds completely alone with this dish, floating through an alternate plane of reality that I could have stayed in for an eternity.  But it ended...for now.

4th Course - Red Snapper Puttanesca

The next course was a snapper fish with some yummy stuff on top...I'm just not a big fish guy, or a big olive guy.  I was impressed with the flavor of the topping (even though I don't like Olives) so I'm sure if you like the fishes then you'd've loved this dish.  It was great - I'm just a meatitarian.

5th Course - Deep Dish Apple Pie 

Next up, and the course that brought this epic eating fiesta to its conclusion - Deep Dish Apply Pie...and yep, that's melted cheddar on top.  Apparently this is a 'northern states' and Canada thing, to put cheese on pie. Are they crazy? No, they are genius.  The most unfortunate thing at this point is that I'm out of wonderful things to say - its kinda like a rockus night of sex.  I'm thoroughly enjoying this course; but I'm mentally drained. It ravaged my taste buds in a most excellent way - but all I can do is enjoy...I've got nothing left to give...but that doesn't mean I enjoy it any less.

Chef Ben...I love you.  In a totally platonic, OMG where have you been all my life you food cooking super genius, type of way.  I've also just learned that apparently Casa Picasso will send and cover a cab to and from your place - wow.  So what are the excuses not to eat here - death...that is the only one. I was amazed at the reasonableness (pretty cheap for the quality but don't tell them!) of the food prices.  So much so that I'm pretty sure my brother and I are headed back tomorrow!

And now I have a huge remote for my aging eye balls.  Thanks gang!

Just so you know - I am wearing pants in this picture...just they're short pants.  I live in Belize! I don't even have long pants anymore.