REVIEW: Dia De Los Muertos @ Market Square #SATX

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a time for family and friends to pray and remember those who have passed away.

Pix are here.

Wiki history is here.

I read about San Antonio's Market Square celebration including the participation of Las Monas Drum & Dance company.  I saw these guys at the Fiesta Night Parade and had to see them again.

Along with Ballet Folklorico, altars to the dead and food, I had to attend this special event today.  It's was lots of fun.

PS.  I used to dance Ballet Folklorico when I was in 5th and 6th grade.

PPS.  There are lot of pix but all worth it.

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REVIEW: Le Peep

OK so I am still mad that Le Peep closed it's location in Alamo Heights/Oak Park. Had to trek all the way to Stone Oak to enjoy my fave breakfast place. 

To start off with had the Chocolate Kiss Hot Chocolate thingy thing.  It was was like 55 degrees outside so there was a distinct chill in the air.  The drink was excellent as always.  It warmed me up and tasted ever so good.

Things change.  I opened the menu and my favorite meal was no longer there.  The Down Home Sausage Pie was missing and I was a little annoyed.  I was all ready to settle for something called the wanderer when the waitress came to take our order but I asked her about the DHSP because I was curious about it's disappearance.  She made me so happy when she said they would be able to make that dish for me even though it is no longer on the menu.  Joy.

When they brought out the dish, it was a bit smaller than I remember it being but it was still delicious and filling and lip smacking good.

4 Stars out of 5

PS:  Extra kudos to the waitress who found me my fave dish even though it is no longer on the menu.

PPS:  We must have arrived at just the right time as there was no wait to get in to Le Peep.  As we left the line stretched out the door.

PPPS:  It's only really cold four days out the year in San Antonio but I put on my seat warmer in my truck this morning anyway.  Could only stand the heat on low for like 5 minutes.  Just wasn't cold enough for seat warmth.  LOL.

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REVIEW: Le Peep

OK so I am still mad that Le Peep closed it's location in Alamo Heights/Oak Park. Had to trek all the way to Stone Oak to enjoy my fave breakfast place. 

To start off with had the Chocolate Kiss Hot Chocolate thingy thing.  It was was like 55 degrees outside so there was a distinct chill in the air.  The drink was excellent as always.  It warmed me up and tasted ever so good.

Things change.  I opened the menu and my favorite meal was no longer there.  The Down Home Sausage Pie was missing and I was a little annoyed.  I was all ready to settle for something called the wanderer when the waitress came to take our order but I asked her about the DHSP because I was curious about it's disappearance.  She made me so happy when she said they would be able to make that dish for me even though it is no longer on the menu.  Joy.

When they brought out the dish, it was a bit smaller than I remember it being but it was still delicious and filling and lip smacking good.

4 Stars out of 5

PS:  Extra kudos to the waitress who found me my fave dish even though it is no longer on the menu.

PPS:  We must have arrived at just the right time as there was no wait to get in to Le Peep.  As we left the line stretched out the door.

PPPS:  It's only really cold four days out the year in San Antonio but I put on my seat warmer in my truck this morning anyway.  Could only stand the heat on low for like 5 minutes.  Just wasn't cold enough for seat warmth.  LOL.

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REVIEW: Taco Palenque

Busy afternoon of running errands turn into busy night of catch-up.  No time to cook so had take-out at this place that just opened on 410 between Broadway and Nacogdoches.  I seem to remember a joint with this name on 410 near Marbach but I could be wrong. 

Had the Carne Guisada Plate.  The beef tips were dry not moist as is the Tex Mex tradition although it was flavored well.

The tortillas did not look very good.  Again, not very Tex Mexy.

Rice was also dry or over-cooked.  I did not try the beans.

What I did like was the Pico de Gallo and the Salsa.  Both were fresh and spicy and flavored just right.

Did some research on this chain and found a lot of good stuff here on wiki.

Found out they are open 24 hours a day so that's also something good to keep in mind?  Are Taco Cabana's open 24/7?

Bad thing was we thought the meal was a bit pricey considering this is still a fast food joint.

2.5 Stars out of 5

PS:  Overheard at the dinner table---"why do people always come to San Antonio and think they can sell us non San Antonio type of food?  This place will not last."

PPS:  Founder invented the El Pollo Loco chicken recipe. 

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PIX & THOUGHTS FROM THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS HOME OPENER VS NEW ORLEANS #SATX #NBA 10-28-09

How good was this team last night???  Seriously---the Spurs rocked my socks off.

Pix are here.

Matt Bonner, Michael Finley and Roger Mason were on fire from three point land.

Always a pleasure to see Manu Ginobili back in action.

Tony Parker totally had his way with that little guard from New Orleans.

Tim Duncan---well Tim Duncan was consistently Tim Duncan.

DeJuan Blair has my vote for rookie of the year.

Richard Jefferson struggled early but kept Peja from being effective.

The bench.  Oh my, the bench is DEEP!!!  30 to zero advantage at half-time is incredible.

The drive for five is alive.  This will make for an interesting season.  The off-season changes appear to have been successful

Go Spurs Go.

Spurs 113 - Hornets 96

Thanx for a great start to a great new season.

PS:  How do you take a picture of a glow in the dark t-shirt??

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REVIEW: ATT Center Food

Thanx Express-News for cheap seats & free food. I can't review free food or was it built into the price of my tux? LOL

Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz

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REVIEW: Leather Portfolio Notebook Thingy Thing

Back when I was in Prison---er---back when I worked in a Prison, I had these leather notebook portfolios thingy things made for me and my bro @TMarkM.  The year was 1993.  These portfolios thingy things were made by the Captain's "boy" for an obscene little amount of money.  The prisoners were not allowed to make a profit on these outside projects.  These leather notebooks are so well made I am certain they will last forever.

I was a substance abuse counselor for a Therapeutic Communities style of therapy at the Clements Unit in Amarillo, Texas called Lone Star Stay'n Out.   The program was designed to treat substance abuse by making changes in attitude and behavior that would lead to a low recidivism rate. When I left the program we were operating at a high 80% success rate.  Those were good times as I learned to be a tough cookie by working in a Prison Setting. 

Mark had just started his educational career at New Mexico State University and had requested an Aztec theme.  Poor Captain's "boy" came up with this design instead.  It's still nice.

My design was the logo for that company.  It means:  the key to stay'n out (of prison) is Lone Star (therapeutic communities). The Zia symbol from the state flag of New Mexico is on the back of my portfolio.  I'm a Native New Mexican.

It is a shame I now work from home.  I would love to show off this Notebook thingy thing in an office somewhere.

PS:  Wonder if Captain's "boy" is a free man now a days?

PPS:  My walk-in closet in my apartment in Amarillo was larger than a cell at the Clements Unit. 

PPPS:  I got to meet Governor Ann Richards as this program was a pet project of hers.

PPPPS:  I didn't get to meet Governor George Bush as he closed down all pet projects of Ann Richards.

PPPPPS:  Funny how current job sometimes feels like a prison?

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SPECIAL GUEST REVIEW: Chris Madrid's

My good friend Anika @arios5 had an inkling for a good burger so she asked me for some advice.  I went duh?? Chris Madrid's.  What follows is HER review.

This was a really good burger. Haven't been in a long time. Need to go more often. The fries where good as well. Regular fry was perfect for two.

PS:  Anika is newly pregnant and we call her baby Raspberry since it is about as big as a raspberry.  Raspberry gives two thumbs up too.

PPS:  My recent view is here.

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REVIEW: Chili's

When fate hands you a gift card to Chili's and payday is a week away and you don't feel like cooking, you use the card to corporate chain bleh blah bleh restaurant.

They are running the 3 courses for $20 promotion that is very popular right about now.

We shared the Kickin' Jack Nachos.  They were alright.  Should have had the skillet queso instead.

Bacon Burger was my main course.  It was good.  I was hungry.

We shared the White Chocolate Molten Cake.  I thought we would get some mini version of their usual dessert but it was the full size version.  This sucker was good but again I was hungry. 

So usually I hate this place---with a passion---but tonight we made due because money is tight.  Damn Recession.

Thank you Metro Ambulance for the free gift card.  Door Prizes are cool at conferences.

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Power Wheelchair Dude Strikes Again

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_3169.MOV (8243 KB)

Usually I see this guy zipping down Broadway with his wife on his lap but today he was flying solo. It is still always a strange sight to see. LOL

Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz

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