Well, the 2nd annual end of year T Bone and Steve-0 celebration occurred last week, tying up all the loose ends, closing the book on 2007. We’ve grown a little older and perhaps wiser, perhaps not. This event was scheduled at Peter Lugers in Williamsburg, the greatest steak venue on earth.
One thing is for certain, our alcohol tolerance has grown. In Dec 06 when we stepped up to the bar and ordered some Scotch, we felt like badass professionals. Little did we know, we were not. They gave us each a very large glass. One beverage was too much to handle, leaving us in a steak educed euphoria that seemed to last for weeks. This year, we were a little more weathered. My favorite part of the evening is that the bartender said “Enjoy your meal, boys”. It made me feel like a 9 year old in a suit my mom made me wear to a Bar Mitzvah, and really, that feeling is priceless.
So they don’t give you a menu. The waiters are very old school, only accept cash, and you make reservations weeks in advance. You say “steak, spinach, potatoes” they say “anything else?” you say “bacon? ” they say “bacon!” and thats it. Also, an appetizer of humongous tomato and onion slices, just phenomenal. Overall, its the most expensive yet simple meal I have ever eaten, but worth it in all aspects. The tables feel ancient, the restaurant itself is over 100 yrs old. Here is an iphone pic of our dinner:
It was just plain scary. The plate they serve it on is literally 400 degrees. You order it a little underdone, then cook it on the side of the plate. I’m not kidding at all. Here I am, contemplating important things, such as eating:
While I contemplate, TB attacks. Notice the Official Blown Mind look on his face, complete with near eye explosion:
And finally, peaceful solitude, complete with beverage:
We destroyed the steak, and 2007. I ran like 11 miles that week, so I figured it just about evens out. We also read somewhere that the meal had less calories than a Big Mac…I’m not sure how true that is. I’m determined to get desert afterwards next year.
2008, who knows. There will be no New Years Eve re-cap, or any shenanigans like that. I woke up on new years day, and as if in some sort of trance, went to do some work. It was very peaceful- the studio is in times square, so it was completely dead. I’d like to make this year a more music centric thing. Its not as if I’ve neglected music, but if I could be one step closer to being Steve Weiss: Mega Producer/Musician/ King Of All Sounds, it would be nice. There are several projects on the horizon which I am excited about, much sound to be made.
I just ordered a “Copperphone” this strange microphone which sounds all distorted and whatnot. There is one dude that builds them, I was wait listed for a minute, but it finally came through. It looks really weird, kind of like a mix between a gun and a mic. I’m hoping its the key to making my golden pipes shine. I was describing it to my friend BUD and he goes “dude, why don’t you just go out and get an old phone and make it into a micrphone?” I thought for a sec, and didn’t really have a response. I felt a little ridiculous. But really, I’m not resourceful enough to do something like that, and I would definitely break an old phone while recording.
My ebay addiction was briefly revived last night. It has been well documented throughout these pages. There was a time I would drive to the ends of the earth for a drum with some restoration potential, and those days have calmed down just a bit. On one occasion I drove to rural upstate New York, long out of cell phone range, the guy told me to watch out for bears. He could have easily killed me, thrown me in a ditch, and no one would be the wiser. But…he was incredibly nice, we hung out for a bit, and I bought 2 old school Gretsch kick drums from him for $30. But, as ebay often goes, these drums did very well and will now finance a gear purchase. I have a huge list of things I would like, but I’ll probably do something stupid, like see an accordion on the CL and somehow rationalize it. Maybe an electric mandolin, or maracas.