Cinco De Mayo History

Usually, I just put up some pictures of tequila, shot glasses, or margaritas and say "ole." But I found one really interesting article that I feel is a must read about the origins of Cinco de Mayo that even I was not aware of. Although, I was not stupid enough about Mexican culture to believe that this is Mexico's Independence Day (which is September 16, by the way), I was of the firm belief that this was more an American holiday, and an attempt to utilize alcohol (especially beer) and attract a more Mexican audience to the beer culture, which based on this article, is actually true.

What I didn't know: During the American Civil War, Mexicans had sided with the Union and not with the Confederates. Also, the French were attempting to invade and control Mexico, which had only had a democratic government for probably 30 some years. The battle at Puebla on the 5th of May (hence, Cinco de Mayo) was when a ragtag group of Mexicans were able to withstand the French army's attempt to take over Puebla. The Mexicans at that time that lived in the United States (mostly in California, and oddly enough, northwestern states such as Oregon) were reading everything they could about the French and their attempt to invade and control Mexico (albeit, in their time, they would be reading things in the newspapers that were probably two to three weeks after the fact), and were excited about the battle and win over the French at Puebla. And that is how the Cinco de Mayo tradition began in the United States. The Mexicans in America at that time would celebrate regularly the victory at Puebla. And, lo and behold, a century later, the beer industry got into the act and started sponsoring Cinco de Mayo events.

I don't begrudge ANYONE finding an opportunity to pop open a brew ... but I did find this information interesting.

Here's another piece that further elaborates on the holiday, and even quotes the link I provided above.

Enjoy some music!

Flaco Jimenez - She Stole My Accordion (ok, you may have to look up Flaco) ... as I have noted on numerous occasions, Flaco was THE accordion guy on many, many records we know but just had no clue there was even an accordion part in the song, let alone, know it was FLACO!!!

New Shot Glass From South Dakota!

You know you are appreciated when your local bartender brings you back a shot glass!

My grandmother was Norwegian, and she and her sister, Augut, settled in Sioux Falls, SD. When I discovered my NEW local watering hole bartender was also from SD and Norwegian, AND he was going back to look after some of his mother's affairs and what not, I asked him to bring me back a shot glass, since I collect them (about 100 and counting).

Tonight I saw him and first thing he does is put this bag in front of me (while he prepares my Bloody Mary, lol) and it was an amazing shot glass. My cell phone camera does not do justice to it, but here it is, in all it's glory!

Round of shots (whatever you want) from the bar!

No Balls Bar

Canadian, having beer and donuts, eh!

It's really fun to have a bar that you can go into and "everyone knows your name." My local watering hole has become a place of respite for me. Back when the daughter and I were arguing (we don't do that these days), she used to try to tell me that I "needed" to go "out" more often, maybe to a "bar" and get to "interact" with people my own age. Well, I've been doing that for a while, and I have to admit, it's been fun.

The regulars, of which I have become one, know each other by name, know the different bartenders and waitresses by name, and even know the owner by name. I have thus been elevated to such a position.

Tonight, hockey was the subject de jour. Funny, a lot of people wanted to claim Vancouver would win the series, as well as the next game, but NO ONE was up to a wager! One guy wanted to bet me four weeks free stay at my co-op in New York for $100.00 (on Vancouver). I was like, are you stupid? $100.00 would get you a weekend, if that, at my co-op, silly person. Finally, only one Canadian was willing to bet $20.00 on tomorrow's game. Sheesh, talk about a no balls bar!

So, Cinco de Mayo ...

The cousin's kids are playing in the Bakersfield area. They put up a video they made and edited. Didn't impress me, but it did make me think about the years I lived in the San Joaquin Valley ...

Streets Of Bakersfield (You all know who performed on this!)


More "Flaco Jimenez" courtesy of The Mavericks


How I got to Manassas, I don't know, but whatever (maybe it was just next to the "M's" in my music list, LOL!



Hey, I'm gonna get wasted tomorrow at my regular bar ... Cinco de Mayo, tequila, beer, yippee!

It's Hockey Playoffs, And I Am At My Favorite Bar!

It was a good day today. First off, Santa's Elves has been offered a FREE warehouse and office, Yippee!!!!!

Second, I went to my regular watering hole. It's fun to be greeted like Norm at the Cheers bar, where everyone knows your name! (Laughing). The Rangers/Capitals game was on, and I eventually moved from my regular table to the bar where a New Yorker was watching the game on the bar TV. It was fun talking with him (he was in town on vacation with his wife, but he was at the bar because he was trying to find someplace to watch the "game.") We had fun exchanging hockey stories, but clearly, I was the dominant one with respect to knowledge of players and the game. Yeah, just in case some of you don't remember, I still have my two hockey player autograph tats on my left ankle! And you all know I am the sports pig, so I can talk about just anything sports, whether baseball, football, hockey, basketball, etc. I gave him advice as to where to go have dinner with his wife (the Grove/Farmer's Market) where there are plenty of regular and upscale places to eat. He actually went to a Kings playoff game and was surprised at how many empty seats there were (yeah, don't get me started on my Kings rant!), and he wanted to buy a Kings jersey but he felt the roughly $150 was a bit high. Shit, I've paid more for some of my jerseys ... but then I have paid less when I've ordered them from Canada. Anyway, the game went into overtime, and I had to leave because I needed to get home to watch my reality show, Survivor (ha ha). Caps won in overtime. I gave him my blog business card. Hope he checks it out, and if he and his wife come back again, I will most assuredly help him out with the "tour" of our gracious city!

Third, my regular bartender, who is always generous in her "pour" of my rum/cokes, and sometimes comps me with a drink, bought me a lotto ticket. I still haven't figured out how to check what numbers won ... I never play the lotto, but I did tell her if we won, it's a shared ticket! UPDATE: I got 3 of the 5 numbers and won $15 bucks LOL!

Then, of course, because I have all the tattoos, especially the hockey player autographs (Kelly Hrudey and Corey Millen) the next topic was tatts, so I gave information to one of the servers that was interested in getting a tatt regarding Greg at Sunset Strip Tattoo (who usually has a nine month waiting list, he's that good).

It was a fun night. I need more of those.

Drunk Mexican Dance

"This is the new dance thats catching on fire down in Mexico. You should try it for yourself dont take my word for it. Hahahaha"

For My Friend, Arno - Guinness Could Be Really Good For You!

The old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all, according to researchers.

A pint of the black stuff a day may work as well as a low dose aspirin to prevent heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks.

[snip]

Guinness was told to stop using the slogan decades ago - and the firm still makes no health claims for the drink.

The Wisconsin team tested the health-giving properties of stout against lager by giving it to dogs who had narrowed arteries similar to those in heart disease.

They found that those given the Guinness had reduced clotting activity in their blood, but not those given lager.

Raising my mug and passing one to Arno! Cheers, baby!

My Cinco De Mayo Beer And Tequila!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Drinking my Corona and Jose Cuervo in my beer mug and shot glass I got from a trip to Tampa Bay to see the Lightening hockey team play! I do have some really cool margarita glasses, that have little men with their sombreros over their heads at the base of the glasses, but I'm not in a margarita mood.

Porn Hard On For Bailout Money!

And on to the lighter side of bailout requests:

Two porn moguls including Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt are seeking a five-billion-dollar bailout from Washington, arguing that the limp US economy has thrown cold water on the adult entertainment industry.

Flynt and "Girls Gone Wild" video series creator Joe Francis asked the newly convened 111th Congress "to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America" in a bailout move similar to the one set aside for US auto manufacturers.

"Congress seems willing to help shore up our nation's most important businesses, (and) we feel we deserve the same consideration," Francis said in a statement.

"In difficult economic times, Americans turn to entertainment for relief. More and more, the kind of entertainment they turn to is adult entertainment."

The pair were quick to admit that "the 13-billion-dollar industry is in no fear of collapse, but why take chances?"

Free round of tequila shots to us porn fans (ha ha ha)!