Lounge Cocktail: Cajun Comforter
Cocktail by WebTender

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Southern Comfort
1/2 oz Bourbon
1 dash Tabasco sauce

Directions:
Pour Southern Comfort and Bourbon over rocks in a 12-ounce glass. Add a dash of Tabasco, or any non-habeñero pepper sauce (don't go overboard). Garnish with a jumbo shrimp.

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Unique Gift Basket at...

The gift of flavor for the
grill master in your life!

Good Deeds Remembered

In 1986, Mikele Mebembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young
bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mikele approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mikele worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mikele stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.. Mikele never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Mikele was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mikele and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mikele, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man. Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mikele couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mikele summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mikele's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly. Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Kevin K. Mebane, NC

Lounging at the movies: The Funny and Not So Funny

Venus (2006) Starring Peter O'Toole, who we love, and others. This story started out funny with banter between two old friends. When a young woman moves in to aid one of them with health issues the story turns strange. Mr. O'Tooles obsession with her becomes uncomfortable and eventually sad. Like watching a horse die of dehydration as it approaches the edge of a watering hole.

This movie was nominated for an Academy Award. Why? Who knows.

Music and Lyrics (2007) Starring Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant. You might think to yourself, self, this is a huge chick flick. You would be right but you would also be right in saying it is very funny and entertaining. Drew meets Hugh by chance as he is attempting to write a pop song. Since he has been gliding along on the coattails of his fame from 20 years past, he needs all the help he can get. Drew is the breath of fresh air he needs and they begin to collaborate to write a song. If you have a girl you would like to watch a film with but she will not stand for exploding zombies and the like this film is recommended. Two thumbs up.

The Astronaut Farmer (2006) Starring Billy Bob Thorton as Charles Farmer and Virginia Madsen as his wife. Billy Bob (Farmer) after having to put his dreams on hold to work the family farm decides to build a space ship so he can launch himself into space. When the Government finds out his plans they decide that space travel is best left to the professionals. Farmer has another idea. We though this film was really funny with Billy Bob's keen knack for delivering slightly dry humor. Worth watching, grab a beer and enjoy.

The Dead Girl (2006) This movie did not leave much of an impression on us. There was a dead girl and several disconnected stories that spun around it. Saying this, I am sure it won some kind of award as it seems that if the film makes little sense it attracts the attention of the people who judge such films.

It is what we call the Emperors New Clothes syndrome. First noticed after Crouching Tiger when more than a few people suggested it was the best film they had seen. "Great Film" they said. We told them to take a number to get their testicles back.

Lounge Eats: Spicy Beef

Our recipe for Spicy Beef can be served over rice just as easily as noodles but noodles is preferred.

1 tablespoon oil
1 pound boneless beef top sirloin, cut 1 inch thick
Spaghetti or vermicelli noodles for 4
Juice of 1 orange
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon or more crushed red pepper
4 cloves garlic peeled, crushed and minced
2 tablespoons catsup
2 medium carrots - bias cut
1 medium onion - cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 clove garlic peeled, crushed, and minced

In a bowl squeeze orange through strainer. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed red pepper, garlic and catsup and set aside.

Cook the pasta and keep warm

Slice beef across the grain into bite size strips and
set aside.

Heat wok until water sizzles in it. Add the oil and then toss in the carrots, onion, and garlic. Stir constantly for about three minutes or until veggies are crispy tender.

Remove from wok.

Add a little more oil if needed and toss in the beef and stir fry for 3 minutes or until it reaches desired doneness. Return veggies to wok and drizzle orange juice mixture, heat through and serve over pasta. YUMMMMM.

A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replies. "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"

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Hmmmmm.

Phobia Of The Month:
Geliophobia: Fear of laughter.

A dyslexic walks into a bra.

boo!

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©Bryan Knox, 2007
Designed and developed at Knox Laboratory