Secrets of the City

Nice of them to pint this out for us. Heard of this gizmos some years ago — never tried one.

BTW, our annual tobacco report card is out — for the first time, Minnesota got all passing grades — including an “A” for smokefree air.

Yea for us!

What sort of “prize” do we get wiht this award?

An overwhelming feeling of smug satisfaction, that, yes, we are better than any other state in the Union.

An overwhelming feeling of smug satisfaction, that, yes, we are better than any other state in the Union.

Is this a new prize? I thought this was given with our statehood in 1858.

Wow. No thanks…

I’d gladly trade it all in for one blast of vodka from a asthma inhaler.

What sort of “prize” do we get wiht this award?

Well, if all of us Minnesotans quit smoking, about 5,000 of us wouldn’t face a premature death because of smoking-related diseases every year. We would also save a big pile of money — to the tune of $215.7 million a year, according to this report.

Gotta die sometime, bob…

Are we still talking about vodka atomizers?

Bob, please don’t derail a post with an unrelated post. There will be an open thread tomorrow.

I’ve seen it firsthand. You don’t wanna die of that.

I should be more obvious with my sarcasm…

How much of that “saved” money will end up in my savings account?

Sorry Max.

As a cocktail enthusiast, I have to say that I disapprove of the vodka atomizer. There’s a think line between alcohol being an enjoyable adult beverage and just being a drug. This device erases that line.

I was just thinking the same thing, Max.

But it would be fun to try just once…

What’s the deal with vodka?

Go to the liquor store you see dozens of brands. Some in the pretty bottles sell for a lot more than others.

But unless you pick a specifically flavored vodka, you’re buying a flavorless beverage.

So why not just get the cheap stuff?

But it would be fun to try just once…

Oh, I totally would.

But unless you pick a specifically flavored vodka, you’re buying a flavorless beverage.

Poorly filtered vodka can taste pretty bad. But I drink vodka that actually has a favor, such as Bison Grass vodka and rye vodka. Russian and East European vodkas are often meant to be drunk straight, and so they aren’t flavorless.

I thought vodka, by law, had to be odorless and tasteless.

There’s lots of flavored vodkas out there. Absolut comes out with a new one every year.

I thought vodka, by law, had to be odorless and tasteless.

You’ve obviously never tried Silver Wolf, or whatever that horrible crap is.

So why not just get the cheap stuff?

Have you ever had a hangover from cheap vodka? It’s only second to a tequila hangover.

Aha. Only US-made vodka must be tasteless. Why that is I have no idea. One could perhaps say that is a good question.

You’ve obviously never tried Silver Wolf, or whatever that horrible crap is.

This is the nasty swill that popped my drinking cherry back when I was about 14. I’ll never forget getting drunk off way too much Silver Wolf and trying to convince my parents I was sober during dinner, which I promptly vomited and then headed back out to the woods to drink more. Somewhere in the chaos I lost a lens and laid down in the snow.

Ahh, good memories.

Have you ever had a hangover from cheap vodka? It’s only second to a tequila hangover.

Noted. I’ll endeavor not to put myself in that situation.

You’ve obviously never tried Silver Wolf, or whatever that horrible crap is

Or Five O’clock vodka. I blame those two products for my lack of acceptance into Michigan State.

It’s amazing what young people will drink…I’ll never again drink Philip’s Vodka, Schnapps of any kind, Captain Morgan, or Bicardi thanks to college…

ahhh, silver wolf. i once hosted a party where i poured silver wolf vodka into empty absolut bottles i’d been saving up, just for kicks. nobody noticed. (but then again we were just out of college and we just drank to get drunk.) and i looked like a champ for going “above and beyond”.

When I worked at a liquor store a 1.75 of Silver Wolf was like 7 bucks which made it a favorite for the hardcore alcoholics.

I’m not sure I’d want to the inhale the Balvenie 15 Year Single Malt I drank last night, but I’d try it once.

Gotta die sometime, bob…

Bob’s the Chewlie Gum Rep.

Actually, the alcohol vaporizer thing kinda sucks because you actually consume alcohol at a significantly slower rate, so you’re probably not even going to get drunk. And really, if I’m going to pay for a vaporizer, I want it to have some effect.

Unless you are drinking vodka martini’s not many people are going to be able to tell if you poured Belvedere or Popov in their screwdriver.

Who drinks vodka martinis? Savages, that’s who!

The gizmo looks very overpriced.

I’ve never understood the claim that vodka doesn’t have a taste or that gin tastes nasty. I guess the kids are so used to sugary drinks, their palates can’t detect the taste of vodka or appreciate the savory taste of gin.

So Bixby advises vaporizing everclear?

I’ll drink anything, but not much beer. I don’t really like beer.

The gizmo looks very overpriced.
Did you see the price of the three person one? Wow.

Why are these things illegal?

wasn’t there some expose about premium US vodkas being based on Cargill’s bulk ethyl alcohol?

I don’t really like beer.
Beer has such a broad range of flavors, that when I see that, I think you just haven’t found your beer.

I always wondered about the scene in Leaving Las Vegas where they’re at a mall and Nicholas Cage’s character is drinking a beer. Would a hardcore alcoholic ever order beer or wine if the strong stuff is an option? Or am I to assume that only beer was available at the mall food court? Am I spending too much time wondering about the accuracy of a 12 year old movie?

I don’t mean to imply that anyone here has a drinking problem, just because they don’t like beer.

Who drinks vodka martinis? Savages, that’s who!

Guess I’m a savage, then…sigh

Miller – my grandpa was a hardcore beer drinker. Upwards of a case a day. Never touched the hard stuff. Luckily he went to rehab when I was a kid and has been sober for almost 23 years.

Beer has one flavor: Fucking disgusting.

Bob, please don’t derail a post with an unrelated post.

You mean an an unrelated comment, don’t you max? So many ban-haters have been telling me that smoking and drinking belong together, I guess I just lost my head. I would blame AWOL, if I could, but the nanny-staters have banned their sale here.

As for “derailing” a thread, any MNspeak that doesn’t jump the track at least three times is not worth reading, IMHO. That’s one of the things that make this site fun — the weird and unpredicable ways a conversation can turn.

Am I the only one who thinks this is true?

I used to hate beer but then I realized that it was because all the beer I was being introduced to was fucking disgusting (I mean, when the first beer you taste is Beast Lite, you’re going to be put off…). It took a while but I found several beers that are quite tasty. I agree with Lunch!

Well, if the derailment is organic in nature, sure, but it seems you have a one track comment sometimes, bob…jes sayin’

I hated beer until I was about 14 years old. It’s been a good friend ever since…only let me down a few times.

If you can’t discern the difference between Phillips Vodka and Shakers Vodka (both made in MN, BTW), you’ve got advanced sensory retardation and should stick to pop.

I hate the fact that it’s banned because we just don’t know about the possible harmful effects rather than allowing the testing to occur prior to banning it.

Adults should be able to choose their own fate without interference from the State.

I’d say banning of products and/or practices is more your connection with the AWOL gizmo, Bob.

If a bar wanted to buy a dozen of these things, and let patrons use them for a fee, maybe that’s another direction to take this discussion. Why shouldn’t they be able to do it?

but it seems you have a one track comment sometimes, bob

Guilty as charged.

To borrow a phrase from Monty Python, now for something completely different…

bleh to shakers….that stuff sucks, might as we.

Someday I’ll get all hip and try the running cheap vodka thru a brita filter dealy bop….till then I’ll just pay to much.

I like {ubrówka and Apple cider but it packs a wicked hangover

My two faves are Stoli and Ketel One…

I gotta a bottle of Grey Goose as schwag last year. It was good.

I buy high-middle-shelf foreign vodka because I like to sip it sometimes.

shakers, rocks, no fruit. it’s got a sligtly creamy body and a subtle wheaty sweetness.

I think marijuana vaporizers are a good thing…you get the benefits of using the drug without most of the carcinogenic side effects. Not so sure about the whold liquor vaporizer deal.

I’ll have whatever she’s (aliecat) having…

Would a hardcore alcoholic ever order beer or wine if the strong stuff is an option?
Yep, one of the former 3rd Ave neighbor dudes was a ragin’ alcholic. Beer was his devil in a can. He could tell himself he wasn’t an alcoholic if he didn’t drink the hard stuff and he wore that badge proudly.
It was pretty sad to watch him as I think he was a good soul, just got lost along the way.

Am I spending too much time wondering about the accuracy of a 12 year old movie?
Maybe?

Rat:

swag = good free stuff you get for belonging to something / attending an event

schwag = bad dirt weed

Not according to the Urban Dictionary

Swag might be another acceptable spelling, but since schwag shows up first, some rules state that is the preferred spelling.

But on second look, it seems that swag is used only when pertaining to free promotional material in the music business.

I’m pretty sure SWAG came about as an acronym standing for “Stuff We All Get”. And I don’t want any schwag. Life is too short to drink Phillips Vodka, dance with ugly women or smoke schwag.

Smoke too much schwag, or drink too much cheap vodka you could end up with a case of The Angry Clown.

I ate a gnarly batch of habanero hot wings that gave me the Angry Clown .

That reminds me I haven’t been to the Green Mill for their ultra tasty Jamaican Wings in a really long time.

I’ll stick with “Ring of Fire”

Seems like a lot of MNSpeakers started drinking before their brains were fully formed.

I love those Jamaican Wings, Simpleton. I just had them the other day. Mmmm.

Gotta love Green Mill’s happy hour. Two people can eat apps and drink beer for under twenty bucks.

I found a recipe very similar to the Green Mill ones.
I’m going to try it at home.

Any idea what gives the sauce that seaweedy texture?

It’s spinach.

Seems like a lot of MNSpeakers started drinking before their brains were fully formed.

Or, “an independent study shows that early drinking leads to awesome.”

As for “derailing” a thread, any MNspeak that doesn’t jump the track at least three times is not worth reading, IMHO. That’s one of the things that make this site fun — the weird and unpredicable ways a conversation can turn.

Actually, now that I think about it, your derailment would have been better in the news stories, as an additional story. But this post is just too awesome to go off the tracks that early.

Oh, and there’s no such thing as a vodka martini.

Oh, and there’s no such thing as a vodka martini
Spank.

So what would you call shaken vodka with vermouth and an olive in a martini glass?

I guess you would call it a Bradford.

I’d call it a really diluted vermouth drink.

Actually, now that I think about it, your derailment would have been better in the news stories, as an additional story.

Agreed, max. On the Martini, too. Liked the Plymouth Gin you suggested — the pre-Bulldog NE Boom used to pour a good one.

That would put you firmly in the utter snob category.

The Bradford has a history reaching back to 1948 (Pre-Bond) in the Fine Art of Mixing Drinks by David Embury.

Just because someone else did it, doesn’t mean it’s good.

Max…I appreciate your desire to be a liquor purist, but I agree to disagree on the Martini-as-Gin-only front. No offense, but I’ll take Sean Connery’s word over yours.

History, schmistory. It’s a drink that makes no sense. The entire point of a cocktail is to mix ingredients together to come up with a drink that highlights the best qualities of the liquors involved, or, in the case of 1920s cocktails, to cover the flavor of bad alcohol.

Most vodkas used in vodka martinis are relatively tasteless. So you end up with a drink that tastes like diluted vermouth. And, seeing as many bartenders are afraid of vermouth nowadays and must be strongarmed into adding it into a cocktail, more times than not you end up with a straight shot of vodka flavored by a little olive.

Ahem. Ian Flemming’s Bond rarely drank vodka martinis. Here’s what he actually drank.

The entire point of a cocktail is to mix ingredients together to come up with a drink that highlights the best qualities of the liquors involved, or, in the case of 1920s cocktails, to cover the flavor of bad alcohol.

By this reasoning Max, vodka has no place in any actual drink.

Before the 1940s, you’ll rarely find a cocktail book with any real selection of vodka cocktails.

However, vodka works well in cocktails where the ingredients might be too strong otherwise. Bond’s drink the Vesper is a good example, as it has Kina Lillet in it, which has a very strong quinine flavor. The vodka helps cut that.

Max…I’m reading that link and it clearly lists VODKA MARTINI as the #1 choice. Plus who reads Fleming…if you can’t see Ursula Anders in a bikini, it ain’t Bond to me.

From the first link: The cumulative totals of all James Bond’s drinks in both the novels and the movies show that Champagne was in fact the most common drink served to him.

sorry..typo…Ursula Andress.

This thread has me shaken, but not stirred to change my drink of choice.

Perhaps it’s because I keep seeing Odd Job in a bikini when I read Fleming….

I’ve been drinking Galliano cocktails lately.

Before the 1940s, you’ll rarely find a cocktail book with any real selection of vodka cocktails.

So what you are saying is that if your Grandpa didn’t drink it, it isn’t a proper cocktail. How quaint of you!

I drink Gibson’s myself with Boodles.

My grandpa died from drinking Gibsons, you bastard!

I drink vodka “martinis” because gin ones turn me into this.

Vodka fans, I suggest the Moscow Mule: Vodka, ginger ale, lime, bitters. Delicious.

My grandpa died from drinking Gibsons, you bastard!

I can’t imagine a finer way to go!

As for Mr Aeklund is sound like he is in the Milk and Cheese camp.
“Gin makes a man mean, so everybody booze up and riot!”

An alcohol vaporizer seems really blotto to me. Hookah’s are pretty cool, albeit kind of 2006.

Hookah’s are pretty cool, albeit kind of 2006

That’s utter Bull Shisha, aeklund.

Gin Gibsons remind me of my granpappy…howdy doody time, I believe he called it.

Pickled onions…what an interesting concept.

Once I finally get around to crafting my artisinal sausages I will turn my attention rightfully to pickling!

I’ve been drinking Galliano cocktails lately.

Glad I read that before I bought a bottle of Galliano…been wanting to try it, but I’m not a fan of sweet drinks. That apple juice one sounds intriguing, though.

Does a Gibson taste dramatically different than a martini? I make my martinis pretty dry, if that matters.

My mom hadn’t had gin since high school (she had some cheap stuff during a night of shooting rats at the dump with her obviously romantic future husband, my dad), and I made her a martini over the holidays. She had two, and has henceforth sworn off gin for another 40-odd years.

Bob, and did you see the date on that — 2005. I rest my case. Hookahs are so yesterday, unless of course you’re Arabic. Hookahs took over from where cigars and martinis left off.

We all know that 2008 is the year of over-hopped beer. Bring it!

(she had some cheap stuff during a night of shooting rats at the dump with her obviously romantic future husband, my dad)

Sentence of 2008. Thanks, SpellsGood.

Speaking of hoppy beers, any a yous hop heads want to sample the Top Ten NY Times list of hoppiest beers? I’ll host if we can find the beers from a local distributor.

I like where your head’s at, you gin drunk you.

I’m in.

Andrew…it’s going to require at least a trip to Hudson and potentially a trade with a hophead in another state to complete that list. I know you can get Victory and Flying Dog here, and that you have to go to WI to get Oskar Blues and Dogfish Head…not sure about the rest.

As long as we don’t have to see Eklund shirtless & reclined pigging out on greazy meat patties, I’m in for the drinking.

I’m down…

IIRC, vodka was not widely consumed in the US for much of anything until the 1950’s. The Black Russian was one of the first vodka martinis devised post-war. Wrt “clear” liquor, gin was definitely the preference of WASP society through the first half of the 20th century … and was my preference, too, through high school into my 20’s. Then I left school, was poor, and discovered cheap beer and cinnamon schnapps!

Vodka fans, I suggest the Moscow Mule: Vodka, ginger ale, lime, bitters.

For the record Max, you are supposed to use Ginger Beer, not ginger ale.
wuss.

SpellsGood, wasn’t that what Sean Penn did with his dates in Sweet and Down Low? Come on, admit it; you got that from a movie!!!

For the record Max, you are supposed to use Ginger Beer, not ginger ale.
wuss.

That’s true, although it confuses people, who think they need a beer with ginger in it. The Cock ‘n’ Bull Ginger Beer, whcih was used in the original recipe, was a soft drink.

C’mon, grote. Everyone knows that if you’re going to meet me in a bar, I’m going to be shirtless and chowing meat patties. It’s my “brand.”

C’mon, grote. Everyone knows that if you’re going to meet me in a bar, I’m going to be shirtless and chowing meat patties. It’s my “brand.”

Why does that get me hot? Heh…

When I go to a bar, I find a lot of guys offering to push my stool in.

Ugh.

It’s my “brand.”
You have a brand? Do you have a move too?

If I walk into a bar and see a shirtless guy chowing meat patties I’m totally expecting him to bust a “move”.

In my most wild fantasies, I do.

And here too.

Wiping tears from my eyes, I can’t help but think about this too.

As you can see, Andy and I were suckled at the sweets teats of the Celtics. I miss Bird.

air. nothing wrong with 2nd best, boys.

Nathan, I miss you.

(And I’m dearly pleased that you saw Uncle Larry play his favorite game of “duck on a rock.”)

It’s a shame you boys grew up on the wrong side of the tracks…

Cubbie — aside from me wanting to punch you in the jaw because this is Larry Bird we’re talking about (and please read into my sarcasm) — I will provide to you this.

For those of you under 30, Larry Bird was a white guy who could actually play basketball. No. Let me take that back. Larry Bird was a really ugly white hick from Indiana who was the SECOND great NBA showman and killer power forward. Dr. J was the first.

mb21, I watched 18 seconds of your YouTube video and was thinking, “Shit, mb21’s gonna go all gangsta Bill Laimbeer on me.” Dang, dood.

Bad Boys!

I just realized this is about to become a battle royale since grote grew up in Detroit. Here it comes…just hit refresh.

Ouch, ouch… burning my hands it’s so hot… just out of the Microwave.

Oh my God, Frankenstein is killing Bill S. Preston from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure!

Wow. I forgot how unbelievable Michael Jordan was. Nobody does shit like that these days. We may never see a level of greatness that high ever again in any sport. Not even Tiger.

freakin’ French Licker.

mb (honey), I you want a little Celtics vs. Pistons, bring it.

Make sure you catch that last vid around the 4 minute mark.

BTW, Detroit versus Boston is back on! Watching the Celtics march over Detroit on their way to their 17th championship is going to be sweetness. How sweet? This sweet.

I will provide to you this.
That commercial is classic. Just like Jordan’s free pass to travel at will.

#4

But I don’t want to fight dear. Let’s just agree we both have a past.

I am so glad I hijacked this thread for the benefit of the Boston/Pistons rivalry.

Waay off topic, but is anyone watching “Celebrity Rehab?” It’s gonna be such a train wreck!

Make sure you catch that last vid around the 4 minute mark.

Nate, that was pure beauty. Parrish killing Liambeer under the net. I despise violence, but I love under the net hard fouls.

Alie – we are! It’s freaking fantastic.

I too am grateful for the hijacking.

mb21- I’m just so excited about Chyna being on TV again…

/I lead a sad little life…

Kevin: Agreed. MJ was the greatest. But a comparison to Tiger? That’s like saying fine beef tenderloin is better than king crab with drawn butter. Let’s not compare the two.

Alie: haven’t checked out the celeb rehab…too busy drinking a fine cab cooking chicken parmesean on farfalle al dente.

JACC: Jordan patented the free travel. In fact, when was the last time a travel was called? Yup. 1991. (Ok. I completely fabricated that.)

Nate, I’m doubling up on that post of Bird stealing the game. Dang yo, bro.

Just listen to that play calling. Pure wonderfulness.

Oh where, oh where has my little grote gone…Oh where, oh where can be be?

Aeklund, I toasted the show with the last of a lovely little inexpensive French Bordeaux…

But a comparison to Tiger?
If Tiger took that many steps he’d put one in the bucket with every shot too.

well, i’ve spent the last hour youtubing vintage jordan videos with cubbie jr., (who is honest to god wearing these right now…) i miss the nba.

aeklund, i’ve got a bird jersey, too. bust it out every st paddy’s day.

Air Jordan high tops. Awesome.

I dunno, man. Tiger has done some jaw-dropping stuff. But I dunno if it’s as unbelievable and purely natural as what His Airness pulled in that video.

Hee hee… I just finished off a bottle of cheap Zinfandel.

and now I’m off to bed.

Eeeeeghhhjjjj….I dunno Kevin.

The cheesiest Tiger Woods tribute of all time.

Cue Yoda.