Aspen, Aspen, and more Aspen==liver replacment

Seriously, what are all these folks doing in Aspen? Every single liqour company, every single wine company positioning themselves to hump the legs of every Chain Account Buyer in the country. And yes, they were all there too. Parties after parties, some on top of each other, all involving "Sampling" ( one MUST! ) some high end: Remy Martin having their party to Louis Vutton (Know a buyer NOT going to that one?) some of them on decks, some white water rafting, and people actually skied. Yes, it was cold in Aspen. Companies were over the top spending: Skyy must of spent over $200,000 on events. Heineken hosted a 70's party that was the talk of the weekend. Hysterical. Great Band from L.A. that played everything from KC and the Sunshine band to Earth, Wind and Fire. Speaking of those "Elements' Zodiac (you know by now my favorite) had people lurking all over the damn place. Southern Wine and Spirits had a house they rented that must of been worth millions. Right on the flowing river, it was quite a site to see. Oh yea, the Tents. Well there were there, but not a ton of people went into them, the action was outside the tents and well into the late evenings. Aspen, you never fail to amaze me.

Aspen Food and Wine--this week

My oh my, drinking at this altitude it rough, but someone has to do it. Here we go again!! The annual extravaganza starts tomorrow (Thursday) and continues thru the weekend. It's just ridiculous how many people converge in this stunning town for debacuhery at it's finest. All the giant wine maker are there, but those Vodka people will NOT be outdone! Parties take place in every bar with major sponsors like: Grey Goose (Ugh), Kettle, Zodiac, and Three Olives taking over places and trying to out do each other for the attention of key buyers and consumers. Look for me to post while I'm there, this should be a riot!

Airport Delays...or Why They Have Several Bars in Terminals

Sigh. Another day on American Airlines, another freaking delay. Without holding too much judgement, let's just say American Airlines is the single worse example of a consumer-based company I have every seen. Putrid is a word that comes to mind. While they continue to raise prices (OIL! OIL I TELL YOU! OIL PRICES!!) their entire lack of any customer friendly employees is shocking. As someone who flies over 150,000 miles a year (You read that right mister) They done wore me out. I haven't had a flight leave on time this year. Seriously, not one. Anyway, let's talk about the good thing about delays: Terminal Bars! If you're ever stuck in Dallas for over an hour, get on the damn train and head to terminal D. There you have a virtual mall, stores, and some great restaurants: Catina laredo has great upscale Tex-Mex and Cool River has incredible drinks and a great menu for an airport! Find them, they are smack dab in the middle of the terminal. Don't settle for food courts, go to terminal D.

If you're stuck in New York LaGuarida, do yourself a favor and head downstairs (yes back thru security) and visit the mall that's actually hidden from most of us. You have to find the down escalators and downstairs you will find some typical food venues, but even better, a great bar. Martini's (Zodiac of course) tend to make the delay a little easier. Just try to sit a little down the bar from the guy with the NY hat, you know he's going to do some serious bitching. Move over to the other side and grab some nuts, stir the drink and dream of being in your own bed. If you're flying on American, dream about being there in a few weeks.

Minneapolis has one of the best "I'm STUCK" terminals in the country. Just don't be tapping your foot in the men's room and you can have a great time in this place. Loaded with shops and restaurants, you can at least kill an hour or two and spend some serious bucks. There are upscale shops and at some serious bargains, which is incredibly rare beyond any security gate in the USA.

Worst: Tampa--What a dump. Chicago-American terminal is worthless. LAX-see Chicago.

Of course, I'm writing this when I'm stuck in Tampa. Can you tell? Tell next time...stuff those olives!!

Recipe 2. Does this look ridiculous or what?

David Commer, famed Mixologist in Dallas made this drink exclusivly for Zodiac Vodka. The potato vodka makes for a much smoother drink. If you can't find Zodiac, make sure you find another potato vodka. It DOES make a difference!

This southwest cocktail features the refreshing combination of Zodiac vodka, ruby red grapefruit and pomegranate juices, sweet & sour and a splash of sprite.

Glass: 14 oz.
Method: Shake w/ Ice & Strain
Garnish: Lime Corkscrew
Ingredients: 1 ¼ oz. Zodiac Vodka
1 oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
1 oz. Sweet & Sour
Top w/ ½ oz. Sprite
Combine ingredients 1-4 in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into glass w/ ice. Top w/ ½ oz. Sprite. Garnish and serve.

Red Bull Races in Detroit! What a Riot!

Ok, to be honest, I'm still not sure who won or what the scoring method was, but wow, that was one awesome way to spend a day! 750,000 people, just on the Detroit Side, were lined up in 80 degree weather to watch one of the most unique spectacles I've ever seen. Prop planes, and very fast ones I must add, fly through an obsticle course of inflated Red Bull Pylons, do loopy do loops, and then scream thru them again! Sideways, upside down, stright thru, at speeds that were amazing and we were so close! The crowd loved every minute of it. The only race of the 10 worldwide that was international, because of Canada being on the other side of the River. There were over 500,00 Canadians on their side too!

Best part: Wherever there's Red Bull you know there's Vodka to be had! Zodiac was featured right on the waterfront at Andiamo's Italian Bistro, so that's where I spent my day!! Zodiac-plane, Plane-Zodiac. Could it be any better? Add a nice Caprese salad and another Zodiac Vodka and Red Bull and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

If you have a chance to see this next year, you should go. It's well worth the trip!!