Binkomonster!

Monday night @ Goat Hill Pizza

Recession at work? Nah. Even in good times, the "dim sum of pizza" (their words not mine) was hopping mad on Monday nights. Chalk it up to that potrero hill community thang. And just good pizza. For reasonable kibble. Waiting for the takeout order. And salivating.

More stuff. And more Progress.

So another few days has gone by, and the *death* flu seems to be relaxing its grip ever so slightly each morning. Still not at the point where the tastebuds of the CTO are fully functioning, but getting there. Slowly passing through the 'cotton-headed' phase. Although not fully healed, let's just state that there is an abundant amount of gratefulness being at the current juncture. All manner of things for the VeePee continue to arrive this week. His plush seat for riding in the Binkomonster executive limo is now ready. And we also have an alternative form of transport, albeit one that has to be powered by either the CEO or CTO. A bed should be arriving sometime next week, with a mattress to follow soon after. Oh and while all these parcels are incoming, the executive washroom is now graced with a beautiful marble countertop (River Gold is the particular pattern and color) that awaits the glass sink and Hans Grohe Axor fixture being installed tomorrow. Last but not least, some touchup and another coat of lime green paint, some final detail work on our staircase, and voila! We are DONE. For now. We'll let the CEO plan and execute any other projects (except for maybe the kitchen tile backsplash). It's amazing being in a such a happy place and seeing all that has come together at the castle. The before and after snaps document a radical change. The best of which admittedly has been simplification and decluttering. Although an interesting observation? All the new toys for the VP that have come in are making the abode feel 'small' again. Though we're working on changing the mindset to view this as more 'cozy'.
The plan for this weekend calls for attendance at the Bonham and Butterfield's wine auction. Tomorrow morning at 9am sharp. Some lovely parcels on the block, one in particular of a favorite vintage bottled in the year of the CTO's birth. Hopefully luck will be with us. Diamond Creek picnic invites have come through and are sitting in the Binkomonster inbox, and our Far Niente Summer Soiree notice has come as well.  As much as we would normally be rubbing our hands with glee and planning the prospective picnics and outfits, we'll probably be taking a pass due to the VP's imminent arrival (orientation you know, very time consuming and intensive). Instead, we'll be having a blowout at the castle with the CEO cooking (when not falling asleep), and the tribe providing entertainment. We're not complaining.
Now, if the sunshine would just cooperate and come out to play.

The Jackhammer. It Gives us the Headache.

Continuing on in our superhero day job, working for the man, is already starting to extract a toll. Thank goodness we've arrived at Friday. To put it in plainspeak, apart from brief bits of sunshine, it has been a thoroughly crappy ride from August into September. This being the third week of some misery. The sunshine truly has been appreciated. We received a last minute/unexpected visit from a board member residing in Paris. And so there were some wonderful dinners. A trip up to Napa. And some cooking. And what else? Oh cocktails of course. We've added some new components to the bar (FINALLY got our hands on some Elderflower liquor), and some great vino to the cellars. And the fridge continues to be stocked with all manner of garnishes, and tasty sauces. But the actual spirits? (As in corporeal, not fluid). Well, let's just say we could use a bit more cheer, and less roller-coaster. So what's on tap for the weekend? Our yearly stint for the wonderful folks at CAR. We'll be swimming the laps tomorrow and finishing up the last sprint of fundraising for this great charity. And then we're hosting a dinner for some wonderful friends. And Sunday? Hopefully it will be quiet. Unlike today, where the fortress building efforts of this jester have given us a collective migraine while at the same time raising blood pressure. Yes yes, we don't need to be told. The building is wonderful, it adds to our neighborhood, and how wonderful that someone can enjoy the hard earned spoils of the dot-com era. But the constant construction din over the past year? We can do without thanks. Let's just say that when the last of the concrete-pouring crews, and home theater installation vans, and appliance delivery vehicles have packed up and gone home, we'll be cracking open a magnum of something and enjoying the absence of cacophony. So, off the tangent and back to plans. Sunday. At this point, fluid planning. Could be upgrading Euler&Tesla's residence (their horrendous little plastic prison is beginning to grate on us), could be going down to the Renaissance Faire, or could just be hanging around the castle, doing nothing.

Still with the Ache, but of a different kind.

Feeling... Ok. The CTO and CEO respectively enjoyed a packed Sunday this week, with participation in Bay to Breakers, followed by a visit to Maker Faire. It was a fair amount to pack into 12 hours, but somehow, we managed. With sore, blistered feet recovering, and muscles remembering what it is not to hurt, the rest of the week could have been better. Are there pictures for us to furnish? You bet... a link will be forthcoming, perhaps with some video of a tesla coil and cocktail machine or two. Saturday should have found the executive staff down at Catalina Island, camping. But alas, the shackles of 'the man' have so constricted our CTO, that plans have had to be altered. We are local this weekend. And seeing the silver lining in this cloud. As opposed to the sentiment that this picture would convey:

Yea.  That's about the level of sentiment 'round these parts yesterday evening. The not-talking-to-you, talk-to-the-furry-but-covered-pink starfish. But we're out of the funk. The CEO is right, royally, pissed at 'tha man' and hating the handcuffs more fiercely than ever, but that's how the cookie swings. What have we done instead? Well, a good Binko-cafe dinner, followed by some Alfred Hitchcock (North by Northwest), a Gibson, a Daiquiri, and mebbe some vino too. Amazing what said formula will do for the spirit. And today? A quiet day at the castle pawing through some great music purchases. And a day for reflection. Tomorrow brings some new adventure we haven't planned out yet. But on a full stomach, and another glass of bubbly... machinations will begin to formulate. There are PILES of as-yet-unread books, and don't even get us started on the magazines. And techno-toys in need of wiring. All in the comfort of the castle.

Thursday.

Ahh Thursday. The day before Friday. The day one begins to somewhat pull away from the tentacles of 'the man' at least mentally in preparation for freedom. Short lived perhaps, but then, we're not complaining. We're still trying to get out from underneath the teetering piles of work scattered everywhere. Taxes are right around the bend. An excuse (as if we need one) to break out more bottles of something to help ease the sting. The ritual handing over of piles of golden kibble to Uncle Sam will be followed by a flurry of visits from board members. We have the esteemed Dr. visiting this weekend (Binkomonster staff philosopher). Hopefully another board member coming in the next two weeks. Sprinkle in a trip up to wine country, add a dash of Catalina for Memorial day weekend, and you get basically enough time to try and cram in more castle improvements. Oh and don't forget our attendance at the Petchitecture. We are on the hunt for a new piece of tribe furniture since the Tower seems to be getting a bit long in the tooth. Be warned. We will come armed with a war chest, and an auction paddle (and we are spoiling to take a competitor to the mat!)

The Bay, The View, The Oysters

It feels as though it's been a crammed few weeks. The festivities of Halloween, a quick zig up to Seattle to get our Pink Martini fix, a visit from our Australian board member, and now, a quick zag up to Point Reyes to take a deep breath, and disconnect from everyone/everything (except for some dear friends). The *Man* has been relentless and complete slave driver the past few weeks, which has thrown a bit of the proverbial wrench into our equation. We've been finding it difficult to keep up with board members and partners (ahem, that would be family and friends to the uninitiated), and we're hoping that changes right quick. The holidays are almost upon us, and it would be a shame to let the whims and habits of the man 'crimp our plans'. So with a steaming mug of good strong java, the sunshine beaming down on the wood plank deck and calm Tomales Bay waters in front of us, we put our weary paws to keyboard and resolve to get that chin up, prepare for the onslaught, and ENJOY the moment. Each one as it comes. The Binkomonster castle is actually getting ready for a holiday shindig of epic proportions. Our current tally shows that we will be playing host to 12 compadres on this forthcoming Turkey day. We'll then be moving the party to another locale in SOMA for desserts and a continuation of the festivities. Then of course the Christmas madness begins, and is capped off by a visit from a long absent Binkomonster partner (ahem, we're looking at you Mz. Lorraine!) for the New Year. It's all good, and it will be great to have three floors of cheer, conversation, good food, friends, wine, crazy cats, cocktails, and laughter. We can't think of a better plan for seeing the year out.
Now, what would an entry in the Binkomonster blog be without the usual patter of restaurants and drinks? We aim not to deprive you dear readers. Though we'll be honest, for all the activities of late, our restaurant visits have been perhaps less in frequency. You see, we've been enjoying the food from the Binkomonster Bistro and kitchens much more (and trying to hone the skills of the cooking staff for the impending holidays). And it happens to be awfully convenient. When the *Man* has sapped our collective strength and humor, there is nothing like throwing some Gin, Campari, and orange bitters into a tall frosty shaker, pouring out the resulting Negroni, and padding out to the lush and green patio to collapse and gaze up at the Castro. It might further be easy to see that after another Negroni or two, the desire to leave the Castle in search of sustenance (when our own larders are stocked with all manner of Camembert, bread, Trader Joe's tasties, etc) is, um, well, rather nonexistent. It also doesn't help that we've been on a bender of sorts lately, capping off our evenings watching marathon sessions of NewsRadio (finally on DVD! Hooorah!)
As for the establishments that we *have* partaken of, two in particular have landed on our top ten. PJs Oyster bed is a particularly fun find. Tucked away in the Sunset, it's a warm and cozy little place that serves great Cajun/style food. The oyster shooters here are the best that we've sampled ANYWHERE. Really. And the trouble is? You can slurp them down waaaay too easily. The voodoo shrimp (mmm, hot, spicy, flavorful!) And then there is dessert. The Bananas Foster is AWESOME (and totally the reason why we need to limit our excursions here). Number two on the list we offer up begrudgingly. Why? Well, a number of reasons. It's numero uno on our best bars list (frankly we think it to be the best bar in the world, and hey! we don't even have to go anywhere except in our backyard). It's so wonderful, that it has become a satellite office for the Binkomonster staff. So you'll forgive us if we want to keep this gem to ourselves. After all, how can we have board meetings if a joint is overrun with legions of those looking for the 'next hip scene'?
Give us a hint! At least a clue? You say... Awright. Berbon and Branch (we mutter in hushed tones).
Yes the misspellink is on purpose. And we're not giving a link neither. Hee.

Ahem. The CTO. In her shiny tiara. Halloween. 2006. Post-cocktail.

In Memoriam

One of our esteemed staff members passed into the great blue yonder today. Einstein is no longer with us. We suspect that he was suffering from calcium deficiency (as of late, his shell was looking brittle and starting to have *gaps*), and that he was also being helped into his grave by our two other staff members, Euler and Tesla (now rechristened "Search" and "Destroy"). We are greatly saddened. Einstein is most likely survived by some offspring somewhere in the Clement Avenue Aquarium shop, but also by the Binkomonster family. We have laid him to rest under one of our healthy blooming small spiky plants.
He was a great little snail.
Who will be missed.
Sniff.
You may be gone Einstein, but you certainly are not forgotten.

Of Travels and Travails

So. We lied. Well, maybe bent the truth a bit. We were back on Sunday um, a few weeks back. But upon touching feet to Binkomonster threshold, it seems that the tentacles of 'the man' had conspired to subsume the CTO until she was desperately clawing for breath. Only this week has the situation allowed for an ear to be perked, and eye to be raised, and the energy to put fingers to keyboard to type out a small missive on the state of the world. It has been, in a word, busy. We've been down to visit the Big Easy (known to most as New Orleans) to have a look-see at what the critters of the Oil/Gas and Geology anthill are doing. Not terribly exciting to 80% of the population we know, but the side benefit was being able to re-sample some of our early gastronomic stomping ground delights to see what had changed post-Katrina. The overall result? Out of 2 places we knew/loved and remembered, one (Emeril's NOLA) didn't quite matchup to the original assessment, and the other (K Pauls Louisiana Kitchen) has not wavered in overall quality and experience [great food/great drinks]. Oh and we almost forgot Mulate's. No change there. All good, and all just as it was. So 2 out of 3 is not bad at all considering the challenges faced in rebuilding post apocalyptic disaster. But enough about 'the man's' related activities. We've been busy assembling Halloween costumes, and buying sackfuls of junky sweets (ostensibly for any trick-or-treaters that may show up on our doorstep, but in reality, for our collective consumption). The formula right now boils down to: silly costumes + a few bowls of chocolate (kit kat, reese's peanut butter cups, snickers) + cupcakes + some ghoulish cocktail + scary movies playing on the flatscreen + Halloween decorations and candles all lit up = a castleful of very wired and loopy denizens. Oh and the cocktail? We've been thinking very hard on that one. Happened to be at our favorite sushi spot last night, and tried a 'zentini' (green tea liquer + citron vodka + lemon). Not a bad drink (but not great either). However the great tea spirit has an interesting enough taste, and gives us some nice ideas. Being that it is just that right shade of glowing green. We're angling for creating a drink that has an absolutely nuclear green glow and absolutely fabulous/fresh and zingy taste. Which may be a difficult proposition as everything we've investigated thus far on the alcoholic front that has the right color is usually loaded with sugar/corn syrup and of course, artificial color. We do have some Absinthe, yet while it does come close to our color desire, we're not quite sure we want to do a hallucinatory bender that evening. As a bonus, we'd like to try to figure out how to get tendrils of smoke too. You know, like the whole 'witches brew' kinda thing? Back to the cauldron to ruminate further....

Sadness Is...

Watching HGTV's 'I Want That' (ugh, blatant and conspicuous consumerism we admit!), and getting all excited about this. Getting so excited in fact, that one dreams about how it will look on the teeny-tiny patio if we remove all of the furniture, and how it won't matter because we'll be so happy with our swim trunks on and glass of wine in hand. And then reality sets in. We measure, we grok the specs. Sigh. Way. Too. Big. And more importantly in terms of architectural stress considerations, way, too, heavy. *Shakes fist at sky and pouts*.

The BubbleMonger. And the Terrorist Attack.

The hot weather is upon us, and with it, chaos. Mirroring some of the events happening on the world-stage this week (albeit in a *very* minor fashion), there have been terrorist strikes on the Binkomonster castle. Specifically, on the bathroom.
We give you "Exhibit A". And mind you, it was in much poorer shape when first found. Showing much more unrolled paper, and teethmarks, and shredding, we rushed this poor roll of tp into intensive care. It is now recovered, in stable condition and resting comfortably on the roll dispenser (though a bit lighter). There have also been minor raids made on trays of food left unattended on the Binko-Bistro countertops. The evening previous to the toilet paper incident, there were potato wedges found half eaten and deposited at the doorstep of the Binko-bedrooms. We've attempted to negotiate with the suspected terrorists (soft food and affection being the tokens offered), but it seems to be of no avail.
We believe that this is the primary suspect and ring-leader:
He goes by the moniker 'Osama Bin Boo-Boo', and it is further believed that he is the mastermind behind the Al-Cat-A group. While past history demonstrates senseless violence to plant and furniture matter here at Binkomonster, and random exercise of bodily fluids at innappropriate locations, there have been no kidnappings to date. Patrols are being instituted, along with high security and vigilance measures. If you see this suspect, please exercise extreme caution and alert the authorities at Binkomonster immediately.
In other, more happier news, we've upgraded the $10 Target bubble machine to a much more powerful solution. Powered by eeelektricity, and capable of generating ten THOUSAND bubbles a minute, it's a nice way to fill up the entire street with bubbles and make all the neighbors go nuts. Hee. Of course, this does lead us to consider adding a second generator (might as well go completely over the top), so we'll put it on the list and maybe by summer's end....
Oh and while on our quest for the biggest, most powerful bubble generator in the land, we stumbled upon this. And laughed our asses off.