Panera Bread....Rocks!!!!

As a traveling salesman I'm always on the go and spend most of my time in the car running from meeting to meeting. I have a few great tools that help me get a lot done during the day....tools like a phone with a zillion minutes and a crackberry....ops...I mean blackberry to check my e-mails. Its amazing how much you can get done anywhere and everywhere you can get a signal.

After having these tools for several years you almost find youself lost without them.

Over the last couple of months I've found a way to take this vitual office thing to the next level and help myself solve a big personal issue. When I travel I found myself grabbing lunch in all the wrong places..... and making myself believe that its OK because I'm so busy. I also refer to this work week activity as "Going for The Quick Comfort Lunch". McDonalds Value Meal on Monday.....Burger King Value Meal on Tuesday....D'Angelo Number 9 on Wedneday....Wendy's Value Meal on Thursday....and Friday is wide open for White Castle, Taco Bell, KFC and any other fast food place you can think of. These fast food places are everywhere and are found right off of most major roadways. The speed in which you get your meal using the drive through lens itself to needing a quick bite because you are running late. If I had any self control I would attempt to order some type of salad from these places.....this so doesn't work out. Let me sit here and enjoy this shitty fresh salad while everyone around me digs into a meal which is what you really want.....Cheeseburger and Fries, Nachos Bellgrande or Steak and Cheese with the works. Pretty much a meal that will fast track you to a heart attack, diabetes and additional money spent on clothes to a handle your expanding waist line and/or man boobs.

Then some genius created Panera Bread. They offer a whole menu of good food that is a lot healthier than anything descirbed above. Their menu consists of Soup, Salad & Sandwiches to order. They make their own bread and rolls daily for the sandwiches and will slice up a loaf of whatever to go as well. Most of their locations have generous seating space of booths and tables/chairs and a gas fire place. The decor is very vibrant with bright earthy colors, classical music flows in the air, trendy lamps that hang off and walls/ceiling and tiled floors in the heavy traffic areas. The restuarant enviorment as a whole is very open and encourages the patrons to hangout for a bit. Kind of a place to catch up with friends over a coffee, bring your coworks for lunch or capture a little time for yourself reading or surfing the net.

The one genius move they made is offering FREE WiFi so you can bring your computer and access the internet. This has been huge for me during the lunch hour. I've been able to access my e-mails, dowload attachements and connect to other work related sites. I call it a relaxing way to increase productivity. Starbucks has WiFi but it cost you if you don't already have Mobile T.

The one last important item to mention is the employees. They work extremely hard as a team to put out your order ASAP. Panera Bread couldn't employee slackers because they wouldn't last 5 minutes. They also employee individuals with specails needs to help with the table cleaning, dish washing and tray gathering. I had a chance to chat with a guy who specializes in job placement for special needs individuals. He mentioned that Panera Bread has been extremely supportive to their program all over the country. I was happy to hear that they take the time to give someone less fortunate a job so they can feel like a productive member of society. I was a recruiter prior to being a salesman.....and will always remember the countless reactions to someone being offered a job....and being proud of themselves.

I'm impressed with the overall product they offer and believe the free WiFi is a great way to attract the repeat customer. Attached is their main website if you want more info or their locations.

Chow for now.

http://www.panerabread.com/

Night with the Kids - Daddy Style... plus - I'm Batman

From time to time my wife gets her permission slip signed and she goes out with some friends for dinner and drinks. This is a big deal for a number of different reasons. Since my writing skills are that of a 12 year old....I figured (thinking again)... I would put together a list of the pro and cons for all to view.

Mary Pro

1) Gets a break from the kids

2) Spends time with friend old friends catching up

3) Enjoys good food and drink

4) Can Smoke and Drive in the Truck

5) Can visit the book store if time permits

6) Gets dressed in non-sweat pants type clothes



David Pro

1) Gets a break from the wife

2) Spends time with kids

3) Proves to wife he is not completely useless





Mary Con

1) Worries the kids will be good so she doesn't get a grumpy call from the spousal unit

2) May mis the kids?

3) Dreams she should make this a bi-weekly event

4) Gets dressed in non sweat pant type clothes



David Con

1)Needs to feed, play and get the kids ready for bed-time

2)Will need to listen to the kids complain (Abby) or cry (Evie) that Mom is not here and you suck at feeding, playing and getting everyone ready for bed

3)Is losing valuable time that could be used for a sporting event, general TV or XBox 360


THE EVENING STARTS

I've been going at watching the kids thing all wrong. I believe last night I was able to come to terms with everything.....its all how you go about it.

Mary exits the house at 4:40 and as soon as she leaves Abby (6 year old) is over stating how hungry she is and the 13 month old squalk in the box has just announced to the house that she is awake and wants out of the crib. I wasn't quite in the mood to be "Super Dad" so I needed to get motivated and quickly. All my life I've been a collector/fan of DC comics and the various heroes within DCs universe. I knew what I needed to do....get into my super parent costume and jump into action. I ran into the bedroom and jumped into my Ralph Lauren sweat pants, put on my freshly stained wife beater T-Shirt and slid into my LL bean slippers. Step one completed....dressed for the roll and fashionably comfortable....OK. All good superheroes have a side kick.....what to do.....not the dogs, cats.....yes....I Know!!!!! ABBY.

Oh Abby!!!! Honey!!!!....maybe you should change into your princess, super hero costume and give Daddy a hand with the baby. From the couch....Abby gave me a look of uncertainty, thought for a second, then agreed and dashed off to her bedroom to change. I headed into Evie's room and greeted her with a big smile and asked how her nap was.

Disclosure: Evie is 13 months and does not speak....but does make sounds with her mouth otherwise know as noise, squalking, squeaking, crying, and screaming.

When I peaked into the crib I was hoping for a big smile, laugh or something that indicated she was happy to see me. The look I got was.....

Dude where is Mom?
If I knew you were coming I would of napped a bit longer.

I raised my hands to see if she wanted to come out and she shook her head side to side.....which meant NO. That whole vision of "Quality Time" was slipping away. My daughter preferred to sit in a rectangler wooden cage than come to me. Somehow I was looking for a way to blame Mary for this....like this was part of her evil plan before she left. Moments later my savior arrived, the difference maker.....yes folks....my daughter side kick. Evie sprung to life with smiles and happy squeaks (noise) when she saw Abby. A few moments later we were all on the play rug. Abby kept Evie in a happy mode, and I was changing the Babies diaper. I felt like one of those tire changers in a NASCAR race. Once that was done I relocated everyone to the kitchen to get dinner ready. I faintly remember Mary telling me she made something for dinner. Then I opened the fridge door and found a red bowl filled with Keilbsa and Kraut. I was delighted with the dinner selection becasue I'm pretty sure Abby loves this stuff. I cut, heated and served dinner up to my little ladies. Abby begins to wolf her dinner down like one of the starving children in those commericals that have something to do with paying a $1 a day and feed a kid or small village.....you get my point. Evie wasn't ready to participate in the family meal.....she looked at me....looked at Abby..... (several times) and then drops a part of her dinner on the floor. Aspen (Dog - Great Preynes) was perfectly situated next to the high chair to help sample the dinner. Evie smurks at the dog and Aspen is up and ready to sample anything her new best friend will send her way. Evie kind of reminded me of an evil mini dictator controlling her minion with food. To my surprise Evie decides to eat her meal and occassionally tosses a piece of meat to Aspen. Once Evie was full she made sure everything that was left was shared with Aspen. Dinner was over about 5:45 and I needed to come up with a plan for the next 1hour and 15 minutes. While I cleaned up from dinner I placed Abby and Evie together on the play rug next to the kitchen. This consisted of Abby playing make believe with human, animal and dinosaur action figures. This also consisted of Evie taking any and every figure Abby started to play with and pinching her if she didn't give the toys up. I told Evie to play nice put she looked at me as if I had a mental problem.....similar to the look her mother gives me at least weekly. In a nut shell....fun for Evie....not so fun for Abby. I know Mary has their Halloween Costumes all set but one would make a perfect Devil and the other an Angle. I'll let you guess which one is which.....moving on.

I have to tell you Abby was wonderful about play time with her sister.....if Evie was my little sister I would of kicked her ass for touching my toys. I don't encourage this behavior, but just trying to be truthful. Its amazing to realize that your 6 year old daughter is bigger person than you are. The good news is when I become a bitter old man Abby will be there to give me positive guidance and advice......the fact that I will most likely do the opposite is a whole other issue.....I digress. Where was I.....oh.

The next 50 or so minutes we played a whole punch of games...like... fetch the toy, sit/stand, roll over and bark like a puppy. I realized that many of these games were similar to some of the games we played when we took are puppies to training classes. This probably isn't a good thing....but most of the games are helping her increase her motor and vocal skills. Evie doesn't like to crawl yet....she slides her but on the floor, from place to place, using her hands and arms to pull her. She totally looks like an animal that had its back end run over by a car and is trying to get out of the road.

Soon enough time flew by and 7pm came......7pm = bath time and after bath time is bedtime and after bed time is Daddy watching the game or some other pointless show. So this is where good time management and creativity really kicks in. Its 7PM the baby needs her bath, Abby need to do her homework, and I was hoping that some way shape or form I could catch the pre-game to the Red Sox vs Cleveland game 4. Then a vision came to me from the gods themselves. I can give the baby a bath in the kitchen sink (one bay, deep and very large), abby can do her homework on the breakfast nook (which is next to the sink) and I can see and hear the pre-game on the flat screen from the kitchen. This worked out beautifully. Everything went perfectly!!!!!! Once Evie's bath was completed I dried her off, placed her in her jams and rocked her to bed. She was practically asleep before she was placed in her crib. The only item I had left was reading a book to Abby and then tucking her in. I have to tell you my 6 year old is scarey smart. As I walked back into the main room Abby was sitting on the couch waiting for me like prey. This how the rest of our night went down.


Daddy - Abby are you ready to go to bed.....its that time....go pick out a book

Abby - I have a better idea....how about some Pappa and Abby TV time

Daddy - Abby its getting late and you have school tomorrow, its a little late for

Abby - Daddy....its your favorite program....the one that you are in.

Daddy - ?

Abby - Look its Batman.....can we watch please

Daddy - OK....just a litte bit (Sucker)


When Abby was little I told her I was Batman.....for some reason she believes it....or is playing along. I laughed as we watched a 1/2 hour cartoon of Batman. I imagined myself all dressed up as Batman.....what I imagined was very disturbing....I looked more like a gray version of the fruit of a loom apple guy in those underwear commercials. We enjoyed our time together watching Batman open a can of whip ass on the bad guys. I finally had to ask her the following.....

Daddy - Why do you believe I'm Batman?

Abby - The look Pappa..... the look.

Daddy - Do you mean how we dress?

Abby - No Silly Pappa..... you know the look you give me when I forget to listen sometimes.....its the same as Batman. That's why I think you are him.

Daddy - Oh....I see


The cartoon ended, I read Abby her book, tucked her in and went back to my man throne (couch) and looked for the game.

I actually sat there and though of all the things Batman and I had in common.


Batman vs. Daddy

Good Shape


Batmans is a ladies man during the day. I'm in great shape if everyone is drunk and the moonlight is shining just the right way. Winner - Bats


Rich

Batman is Bill Gates rich. I only use the word rich by describing a cream sauce or a chocalate piece of cake. Rich in debt. Winner - Bats

Smart

Batman solves riddles and mysteries at night and runs Wayne Enterprises during the day. He has only saved the world as the brains of the Justice League 20 or so times. My problem solving skills aren't on his level...YET - Winner - Bats


Prick

Batman definately has social issues....not the most liked guy in the super hero community. If I had a dollar for everytime I said a prick like thing....I would be as rich as Batman. Most of the time its a misunderstanding. It goes to show ya...if your good looking, wicked rich fellow you can hire someone to be a prick too, kind of like a butler? Winner - Daddy


So what have I learned.......I'm no Batman.....I'm starting to feel like one of those red shirt security guys from Star Trek.

Grady's Tavern - A Wonderful Surprise

Most people in life look for some type of happy place that allows them to relax. This can be almost anything from your more usual......biking, hiking, fishing or skiing....to your little extreme activities.....like paintball, sky diving, roller coaster riders. To each their own......I look at all these activities as a potential true passions or just a place they like to visit to take a break from life.

One of my true passions is the search for the Perfect Pub/Bar/Tavern.


What is the Perferct Pub?


My definition is........ Good Food, Great Fresh Selectiong of Beers, Excellent Service and a Place of Character which includes the Bartender, Wait Staff and other Patrons. An Establishment that understands the importants of their clients having access to most sporting events and booking a good musical act that can attract some new visitors. An establishment that wants you to return and does what they can to earn your business and make you happy.

It seems like this list is pretty standard but you will be amazed how many places struggle with the above list. If your a Pub Crawler like myself....you probably understand what I mean. There are some other local bars that have very generous bar space but you need to flag down the bartender in order to get another round, the food is on the borderline of even being called food and unless you go with the more common brand names of beer you may be venturing into Skunkville. Sad : (

So let me introduce you to Grady's Tavern. I've attached their web site if you would like more information and their photo gallery. I would first like to describe Grady's Tavern as "Old School" . Let me give you the 25 cent tour...... you walk thru the main door and you see a small bar in the center of the floor with 8/9 bar chairs on the rights side and about 3/4 on the other side of the bar . There are 3/4 tables on both sides of the bar, 2 video games, 2 dart boards, a modern day juke box mounted on the wall, 4 small TVs mount in the corners and 2 larger TVs located on both sides of the bar. Looking around the bar you clearly see the decor on the walls fits the name of the bar perfectly plus a strong support for the Red Sox and Patriots.



What you learn in less than 5 minutes......

Grady = Irish

Red Sox/Patriot Fan = Boston Sports Fan



OK....nothing is really impressive so far.....your drinking in a small Irish Tavern you get a sense the owner is Boston Sports fans.....



Let me start with what is best about this tavern.....and it starts with the owner Peter Grady. Peter isn't one of these owner types that has a sense of self importance and hangs out at his place watching. Peter is the help!!!! A majority of the nights Peter is the Chef and puts together some of the best pub food dishes. So what is his secret......he cares ....and everything is hand made from scratch!!!! Deep down inside he wants his patrons to enjoy their meal.....and works to put together generous portions and quality food. Don't just order from the menu......the daily specials are fabulous. Peter doesn't live in the Kitchen unseen....he is normally working closely with the bartender to deliver the food and will help refill your beer. Depending on how busy things are he trys to say hello to familar faces, strikes up conversations and tells stories about anything or everything. One of the biggest surpises is he may even buy a round of beers or introduce you to what a beer shooter is. If you don't know what a beer shooter is then you will just have to stop down and find out. They have a fresh selection of bottled and draft beer. Don't overlook what's on draft.....you may find something new and interesting.



All the bartenders do a great job behind the bar and each of them have character. Character is a hard thing to describe but they are very much really people.....not fake. One thing that you will learn quickly is some of the bartenders are Grady's kids. Sitting from my bar stool and listen to the conversations......everyone functions like a family....even non family members. Its rare NOT to see one of the other bartenders stop down for a beer before heading out to meet up with friends. I find it comforting to see the off shift employees indulging in food and beer when they could be somewhere else.


On weekend nights you can catch some great musical acts.....most of the music is Rock 'n Roll or Blues. Since I'm a Salesman I love the product they offer to the public....the whole thing....and I look forward to my next meal and beer at Grady's Tavern.

Please take some time to stop down and visit this special place.



http://www.grady-tavern-manchester-ct.com




Cheers!!!!



I also wanted to give a shout out to LauRIE, Melissa, Chuck and Thomas who were great company at the bar and supported the idea of me creating this blog.

I'm Scared of My X-Box 360

All my life I've been a fan of video games.....however I was one of those unlucky kids on the block. All my friends would play endless hours of Atari and would pretty much get my ass handed to me playing with them. My parents thought they were doing me a favor and bought me Coleco Vision. The only good game Coleco had was Donkey Kong and I would spend hours trying to save that ugly bitch princess from Kong. Granted Coleco had better graphics but Atari had the best games. Since everyone else had Atari.....no was really interested in playing Coleco.

When I went to college Nitendo was the system to have in your dorm room. I was much more interested in chasing girls and drinking.....preferrably at the same time than seperate. I didn't get caught up playing Nitendo but there was some fierce competition within my dorm to the point where fights broke out. Most gamers were interested in challenging one another to a sports type video game to win money or beer.

I pretty much left the video game scene unitl I got my first apartment. As a b-day gift my wife purchased me Play Station along with Mortal Combat. We spent endless hours together play.....and me kicking Mary's ass to the point where she didn't want to play anymore. I was a horrible winner. I remember her saying it I can't play nice then she didn't want to play anymore. She had a point but in my defense we were playing a game which consisted of 2 people fighting to the death. Now that you have been bored to death with where I fit into the home video game history.... I will get moving on my original intend of the post.

For my 35th b-day my wife went out and purchased me an X-Box 360 and HALO 3 game to go with it. I was originally upset with her for spending the money but then she told me the deal she got on the game and X-Box. She paid half what a normal shopper would so I felt a little better. I remember looking at the X-Box 360 an laughing to myself like a little devil. My wife was being loving and caring and wanted me to have something I wouldn't purchase for myself. She probably didn't realize the pain and suffering she would have to endure once I get the game up and running and the controller in hand. As soon as I began the game all I remember is hearing a voice call out like Charlie Brown's Mother in the Peanuts Cartoon. I became one with the game and slowly forgot my roll as a father, husband and care taker of several animals. I pretty much became useless to the real world but had a growing desire to become the best HALO 3 player in the world. God would have the last laugh in this story. For the next few nights I couldn't sleep.....I would have dreams/nightmares of the my Halo Enemies running me down within the HALO universe and, of course, I'm out of ammo. I felt it was time to give HALO a rest. My issues don't stop there.

I asked Mary to pick me up a XBOX 360 game at Blockbuster when she hits the movie store next. To no surprise Mary brings home one of the hotest games in the 360 world.... Bioshock. When I came home from work I couldn't wait to get through dinner to begin my quest in the Bioshock universe. The graphics and storyline was absolutely incredible.....but the game itself freaked me out. Its an under water city that went crazy in 1959. The game is very dark and you hear evil screaming, non stopvoices, and hystical women and children jump out of dark corners...... who are by the way.....totally insane.....and want to totally kill you and eat you too. Water is leaking out of walls, halls and tunnels.......each room has trails of blood and broken furniture. Everything about the game is truly art....but is way wrong. Its like your living in a really really really scary horror film. After a couple hours of play I had to turn the game off.....I'll admit it.....it totally freaked me out. I told Mary last night that the game was cool....but I don't think I can play it....too scary. She gave me that look....you know which one....."Your being a total pussy look". This morning she watched me package up the game, even though we have 4 days left on the rental, and put it in my car to be returned.

I'll be looking a new game...something like Gumpy and Pokey Adventure Game or something with Strawberry Shortcake?

How to Screw Up Your Child on Columbus Day

Within a normal week (Monday - Friday) my clan has a pretty normal schedule.....I head out into the field to work, Abby goes to 1st grade for the day, and Mary and Evie spend the day keeping the house in order, inbetween play/nap time and the occasion trek to gramas. So when school is going to be closed due to a dead president or some other national holiday I try take some time off to spend part of one of those days with Abby.

I will usually make plans for us to go somewhere to have a little Daddy/Daughter quality time. Mary is wondeful about Abby and I taking our little trips, even though deep down inside she wishes she could come. When we walk out the door she usually gives me that look.....which I haven't figured out what it means.....its either ....bring my daughter back safe or I hope you have a good day while I deal with the demands of the 13 month old Squalk in a Box.....maybe a little of both.

Mary is a lot more fun than I am..... pretty much all the time......so this is chance to leave the "Fun One" at home so by default I become the center of my 1st borns world. I'm not proud of my tactics but I have very little time before I will be deemed uncool and with not be allowed to be scene in public (mall, movie theature, beach....you get me).

So on Columbus Day I make plans for us to see Seeker in the afternoon and then an early dinner at Worcester Street Pizza in Manchester CT. My day is going wonderful as we head to the movie.....my daughter is gleeming with joy in her car seat, were singing songs ....life is good. We get to the movie, grab the tickets and spend a small fortune on popcorn, soda and candy. We are in our seats 10 minutes before the movie will start. Then I start to think....did I forget anything...oh yes....now I remember.

David - Abby do you have to go to the bathroom?
Abby - No I don't need to go
David - We have 10 mins before the movie starts are you sure?
Abby - I'm good...no thanks papa
David - OK....if you have to go during the movie we may mis some important parts
Abby - OK papa

5 minutes later Abby jumps out of her seat and wants to head for the bathroom. I saw this coming a mile away. I collect all our stuff and head to the bathroom. I wait outside the bathroom and people pass me by looking at me like the guy who couldn't control himself at the concession stand....but whatever. Abby runs out of the bathroom and heads back to our same seats. As I follow Abby back up the steps to our seats which are on the top in the last row. Everyone was kind of giving me a dirtly look.....the loser Dad look. Then it dawned on me that I have my Red Sox hat on....they must be a punch of Yankee fans.... or they were annoyed that I let my kid run up the stairs by herself.....oh well.....get over yourself. So the movie starts and Abby and I are watching the previews. I always enjoy previews so I can see which movie Abby is most interested in seeing around the holiday. The first preview is "The Hitman" a movie based on a video game in which a guy kills lots of people....NO....the next is George Clooney taking on corporate america....NO... the other movies were a combination of horror, killing and fighting....ALL NO. I guess not a lot of offerings from Disney this year. Then the movie begins......a punch of Zombies running down the street killing, eating, mauling people in different parts of the country for the first few minutes......this movies was rated PG....what is this all about.....then it hits me as the title of the movie finally flashes up on the screen......Resident Evil 3....oh shit.....Abby we need to go....wrong movie.....she had her head stuffed inbetween her knees and chest in horror. So I sling Abby over me shoulder with one arm....grab the popcorn and soda in the other and dash down the stairs headed for the exit. As I head down the stairs I find myself talking to the audience letting them know that we went to the wrong theater. Once we get into the hall I let down my 6 year old who is somewhat in shock.

David - Sorry baby wrong movie....one more down....are you OK
Abby - Daddy!!!!! Daddies aren't suppose to take their kids to movies like that
David - I know baby....my bad....we went back to the wrong theater.
Abby - You know I'm going to have to tell Mom.
David - I know..... but she will understand it was a mistake. Kind of like Mommy getting lost driving.
Abby - Yeah!!!! She get lost a lot with Grama....

The rest of our afternoon went perfect... we told Mom about the mix when we got home and Mary and I both look at each other in silence wondering if there will be any fall out from my screw up. When I write fall out....I mean nightmares.....lets just say my side of the bed has been much smaller the last couple of nights. My little voice inside has been repeating the following.....Good going genius!!!!! Maybe next time you can take her down to a slaughter house to show her how meat is made.