Holiday Movie Poll

Had a great Thanksgiving. Since there were only 3 of us, we made a turkey breast and stuffing, candied yams, green bean casserole and biscuits. I ate way too much! Oh we also had Pumpkin Pie! Finished off the evening with a call from our alarm company saying our alarm was going off at our store.

What is your favorite holiday movie?
	White Christmas - W/Bing Crosby and Danny Kay
	It's A Wonderful LIfe - W/Jimmy Stewart
	A Chirstmas Story - (You'll shoot your eye out)
	Miracle on 34th Street - W/Natalie Wood
	The Bishops Wife - W/Cary Grant
	The Santa Clause - W/Tim Allen
	Christmas Vacation - W/Chevy Chase
	Scrooged - W/Bill Murray
	A Christmas Carol - W/Alastair Sim
	Other
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Out of Town!

I've been out of town in Minnesota most of last week, so I'm a little behind in my blogging. Over the weekend we went to my Nephew's engagement party at a restaurant in Chicago - Central Gyros. It's a Greek restaurant that has been around for 32 years. They have a wonderful selection of Greek food. Now my wife or I have never been to an engagement party before so we did not know what to expect. It was very nice, the food was good (we had a combination platter). The couple opened their gifts which included items needed for their wedding. Went home with the feeling of eating too much.

On Sunday was our 17 year wedding anniversary. We decided to celebrate by going out to dinner at a new restaurant in the area - Bonefish Grill. The food was wonderful as was the waitress - Cheryl. I had a snapper in a butter and pineapple sauce. It was dusted with Macadamia nuts. Char had a pecan crusted white fish of some kind. For an appetizer we had the Bang Bang shrimp. Very tasty!

What I'm reading:


What I'm listening to:




What I'm watching:

Saturday Night Fish Fry

Yes, a Saturday night fish fry! Our friends John and Melissa had a fish and chips night at their house on Saturday night. The food fare consisted of hand battered fish deep fried of course, chips (french fries), handmade hushpuppies, corn bread and a 3 bean casserole. Let me tell you, this was some good eatin'. I tried the fish with both tarter sauce and malt vinegar. I think I preferred the malt vinegar. The company was great as usual and would you believe, no one talked politics!

Heres what I'm watching:

One Hundred and One Things About Me!

OK, A lot of blog writers are doing this, so I thought I would give it a shot!

1. My favorite movie is Dawn of the Dead (original version)
2. My second favorite movie is The Omega Man (are you sensing a theme here?)
3. My favorite fruit is cherries
4. Favorite vegetable is Asparagus
5. I hate spiders, although I do like snakes. But that aint what it takes...
6. I hate people who don't use their turn signals. Even for lane changes, it's not that much work people!
7. Favorite DJ of all time - Jonathan Brandmeir and he's coming back to the Loop! (97.9 in Chicago) - Yeah Baby!
8. Favorite TV show - Survivor or Lost
9. I love steak
10. I love buttered noodles
11. Pancakes and bacon are one of my favorite breakfasts
12. Egg Benedict is my second favorite breakfast
13. I drove a 1971 Maverick with flames on the hood during high school
14. I played bass with a Hard Rock band - Salem's Fire during the early 1980's
15. I played keyboards with a group in the 70's called Magus
16. I used to be a champion Foosball player in high school
17. In grammar school, I was in 3 talent shows as a ventriloquist
18. My favorite male vocalist is Dennis DeYoung
19. I love pizza
20. I'm a huge dog lover, any size, any shape, any kind!
21. I had always planned on becoming a professional musician or actor
22. I have worked for the same company for over 26 years
23. My first computer was an Atari 400 with 16K of memory and a membrane keyboard. Yes, you read it right 16K, not 16MB. No hard drive, just a cassette tape drive
24. My wife's name is Char.
25. I have 2 brothers and a sister. I'm the baby.
26. I once played in the Illinois State Fair Organ competition
27. I played saxaphone in the Lane Tech H.S. Band.
28. My dog's names are Tiny Dancer (Keeshond), Kirby Monroe (Keeshond), Joey Dancer (Keeshond) and Jazzy Dancer (Miniture Poodle)
29. My poodle Jazzy was born with dwarfism
30. I love smooth Jazz
31. George Benson, Jeff Beck and Peter White are 3 of my favorite guitarist, oh yeah Eddie Van Halen too.
32. I love Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy
33. I love computers and technology, but think they will ruin the world some day. Listen to Mr Roberto by Styx and Harry's Hands by Dennis DeYoung.
34. Styx is my favorite band of all time. I have seen them perform over 20X.
35. My brother Tim has been in several movies, including "She's Having A Baby" and "Only the Lonely".
36. My father died when I was 10 years old.
37. I love the Cubs! (although I do also like the White Sox)
38. My favorite Cub player of all time is a tie between Jose Cardinale and Ron Santo. Although I do like Carmine Fanzone and Joe Pepitone.
39. I have a Joe Pepitone 1st baseman's mitt.
40. I love popcorn!
41. I love building fires!
42. I like my coffee with cream and sugar
43. I like tea the same way.
44. I love building databases. I'm an information junkie!
45. I love playing Wallyball and try to play once a week.
46. I love riding my bike on a nice cool summers day.
47. I have a Koi pond with 5 Koi in my backyard.
48. I worked for White Castle for 4 years. Yes, I still eat there.
49. I co-owned and operated a wedding dj company for 13 years.
50. I try very hard not to use profanity in public. Now, in private... thats another matter. ;-)
51. I've always wanted to own a hot tub.
52. I love to eat broasted chicken!
53. I think I'm good at training people. Maybe I should have been a teacher.
54. I had a mustache for 25 years and I shaved it off 2 years ago. I know my profile photo shows me with it on.
55. Steam rooms are fantastic!
56. I worked as an orderly in a hospital for one day.
57. I love Sushi and Japanese food.
58. I'm heavy into genealogy.
59. My name is Mark because I was born on St. Mark's Day. It's on Luthern calendars.
60. My 3rd favorite movie is the new version of Dawn of the Dead.
61. I love to practice the art of Tai Chi. Scott Cole is my favorite instructor.
62. I listen to New Age music and light Jazz while I work. I also have a fountain going and sometimes I burn incense. Wow, does that sound weird or what!
63. I drive a Saturn 4 door sedan.
64. My weight has ranged from 165 pounds to 206 pounds in the last 20 years. I now weigh 175 pounds.
65. I actually love my job and everyone I work with.
66. I love eggrolls!
67. I love Chinese, Indian, Thai and Italian food
68. My favorite authors are: Stephen King, James Rollins, Jeffrey Deaver, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, John Sanford and Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
69. I have read every Harry Potter book, except for the new one.
70. I am 5'11" tall.
71. I am a huge fan of the Andy Griffith Show
72. I collect memorabilia from the 1898 Columbian Exposition (Chicago Worlds Fair)
73. I collect memorabilia from the Our Gang comedies.
74. I'm right handed
75. I used to have a motorcycle - a Yamaha 650
76. I am learning how to play golf and love it!
77. I am one of two djs for the Downtown Crystal Lake Classic Car Nights
78. I have always wanted to play tennis.
79. I love to play raquetball.
80. I owned a disc jockey company for 13 years with one of my friends. We had 3 systems and did mostly weddings.
81. I am the announcer for the Crystal Lake Festival of Lights Parade. Come and see me the Friday night after Thanksgiving in Historic Downtown Crystal Lake.

82. I love the movie - West Side Story.

83. I have a sister Dawn, A brother Tim and another brother Kevin. I am the youngest.
84. I attended Wm. Gray Elementary school.

85. I attended Lane Tech HS for 2 years and Foreman HS for 2 years.

86. I attended Triton College for 2 years.

87. The only places I have ever been outside of the United States are Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. All 3 were ports on a cruise.

88. I've traveled to the following states - Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Hawaii, California, Arizonia, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Iowa.

89. As far as I know I am a blend of Irish, German, English and Welsh.

90. I enjoy doing Suduko puzzles.

91. My wife and I own a store named "Uncle Fat's Attic". You can visit our online store @ www.unclefatsattic.com

92. I was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago.

93. I have lived in Chicago, Bensenville, Aurora, Arlington Heights and Lake In The Hills. All in Illinois.

94. My favorite Chicago pizza places are Georgios, Lou Malnati's and Giordanos.

95. My favorite Chicago Hot Dog places are Gene and Judes in River Grove. Gina's in Bensenville and Portillos (all over the place).

96. My favorite Italian Beef place is Portillos (all over) .

97. My favorite BBQ Rib place is Crystal Lake Ribs in Crystal Lake.

98. My favorite book and music store is Borders.

99. Favorite Italian places are Franchescas (all over) and Biagis (Algonquin).

100. Favorite Japanese restaurants are Torishin in Mount Prospect and Bistro Wasabi in Lake In The Hills.

101. Favorite submarine or hero sandwich - Hero's on Western and Addison in Chicago. 2nd best Bob-A-Rino's on Central in Chicago. Sorry Bob!

Monday, Monday

Update from the weekend!

We had a Holiday Open House at our Store - Uncle Fat's Attic. This was held to introduce all of the wonderful holiday items we have. Not a bad turnout, a little slow on Sunday. After Thanksgiving we will be open on Sundays until Christmas.

Had huge problems on Saturday with my allergies, I took allergy medication and oh course I overdid it. Then Saturday night turned into stomach problems after eating some tacos at a national chain. I don't think it was the actual food itself, it just did not sit right with my stomach. After eating and doing some quick grocery shopping I crashed out on the couch until 1:30 in the morning.

Sunday I installed a piece of SGO glass for a customer. It looked gorgeous, much better than the existing piece of stained glass that was there when they bought the house. It was a brown and gold bevels and shells piece. Yucch! Might have looked nice in the seventies. The store was open until 5:00 pm. After closing we went home, fed the dogs, let them out and went to my Mother's 82nd birthday party at my sister's house. See bought some food from Portillo's and boy was it good! Italian Beef sandwiches, Chicken Vesuvio, Baked Mostaccioli and some of there delicious Chocolate cake.

What I'm watching:

Do the Hump, Do the Humpty Hump

Hump Day Again! Last night, made the following:

South Beach Turkey Meatloaf - Very Tasty!
South Beach Mashed Potatoes - smashed Cauliflower
Mixed veggies

Finished Watching



I thought they could have done a lot more with this movie, but dropped the ball. Stayed up late watching election coverage and South Park.

Who is your favorite South Park character?

Cartman, Kyle, Kenny, Butters, Token, Chef, Mr. Garrison, Pip, Stan or Tweek?

Mine is Cartman

Swirl

This is a pretty cool page. Talk about picture in picture!

Swirl

Rainy Days and Mondays

Yuck! It is rotten outside! It's been raining all day! Here is what happened over the weekend.

Went to a Chili barbeque on Saturday night Everyone had to bring a pot of their favorite chili. We made Fred Winston Chili. He is a local Chicago radio host. There is a link to his blog below. The recipe resides there.

There were quite a few crockpot full of chili. I would say 8-9 of them. Some spicy, some not, some had chicken and sweet potatoes and one spicy one was labeled George Bush Chili, not for wimps!

We ate chili and sat around the fire and got into agruements over politics. Always a good time!

Over the weekend I watched:


Halloween was kind of uneventful. Not many trick or treaters. We had tons of candy and no kids. Guess we will have to eat it ourselves! We did go to a cool house that a local guy dressed up for Halloween. It you live close to Lake In The Hills, IL come and see it. Here is his website with information. It is open dark to 10:00 pm until November 5th.

Haunt31