Archive for December, 2009

Oklahoma Sooners Art

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

My friends, Brock and Stacy, are huge Oklahoma Sooners fans. I painted this piece for them on a 36″ x 48″ canvas with acrylic media.

SpaceQuest Bar

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

With the closing of Quark’s Bar at the the Las Vegas Hilton in September 2008 and the subsequent failed re-launch at the Neonopolis on Fremont Street, I was convinced that the signature Star Trek drinks we loved so much would be lost forever.

This speculation would not be realized, however. On December 19, 2009 the SpaceQuest Bar, located just outside the former Star Trek Experience, introduced several of the famed classic drinks in addition to a few new concoctions. Brock, Stacy, Bryan, Dylan and I were the first patrons of the bar to order these drinks on their debut.

Here is the complete menu as it reads on the table display, as well as some personal notes about how to create these drinks yourself.

Romulan Ale…
Mind Blasting Bacardi 151, morphed with Blue Curacao, Cranberry Lemonade and droplets of Tabasco Sauce.
(This is dramatically different from the bottled Romulan Ale beer that you might have seen before. Goeasy on the 151 or you’ll ruin the drink)

James Tea Kirk…
Angostura Rum mixed with mind altering Gin, Vodka, Blue Curacao, Sweet and Sour and a splash of soda
(Equal parts of rum, gin, vodka, and the blue curacao. Just a splash of the Sweet and Sour and add sprite for soda until the drink strength is to your liking)

Orion’s Belt…
Malibu Rum engaged with Midori Liqueur and blended with Pineapple Juice and a splash of Half and Half Cream.

Borg Queen…
The SpaceQuest version of the Apple Martini made with Smirnoff Vodka, DeKuyper Apple Pucker, Apple Puree and a splash of Sweet and Sour.

Saurian Brandy…
An alliance of Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Banana Liqueur gently shaken over ice.

Goin’ with the flow

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

After 30 years of perfect performance, the old water pump in the fish tank finally quit. Not a bad run if you ask me. I installed a new pump this week and got things flowing again. Pictured is the installed 20HD BlueLine pump rated at 480 gph. I had forgotten just how quiet these things should be.