Weekend-A-Go-Go

Originally published at Sasha's Den of Iniquity. You can comment here or there.

First, I want to remind you all that we're now less than two weeks away from Elizebeth's Birthday Party, on December 2nd. Hope to see you there. Also, watch this space for details on our end-of-the-year holiday stocking exchange.

This last weekend, though, has passed and deserves a write-up. On Friday Elizebeth and I did some shopping. We hit up the inventory liquidation sale at Tower Books and Tower Video on Broadway. Remember me talking about Gregg Hurwitz's Tim Rackley books last week? Now I have all four titles, so you locals have no good excuses. I also got a new copy of Last Call to replace my oft-loaned older copy.

On Saturday the two of us watched Hostel (one of my DVD purchases), before heading out for dinner and a movie with Tamie. We ate at El Torito, where my carnitas was excellent. I decided to have a drink after I ate, while waiting for Tamie and E to finish. Their bar didn't have Maker's Mark, so my Whisky sour was made with Jameson's. It tasted like the bartender didn't use a bottled sour mix, but instead used lemon juice and sugar, which was a nice touch. (I've already laid in a bottle of Maker's Mark for Elizebeth's party, by the way.)

After dinner we killed a bit of time at Barnes & Noble and then went to see Casino Royale. Even though the movie was about a half-hour too long, it's probably the best Bond movie I've seen in decades. Gone is the cheesy dialogue and more-improbable-than-anime stunts. This is a grittier, more ruthless Bond. It's also the first one I've seen after I read the book, and it was nice catching the stuff they kept and changed from the plot. Plus, the best use of the hoary old "Bond. James Bond." line evar.

As I wrap this up, I'd like to mention that I'll be out at Cal Expo for harness racing on Wednesday. Elizebeth, Samantha, and Jerry will be there, probably some others as well. Let us know if you'd like to join us.