Merry Christmas from the Breakfast Club!

Arrived at Bobby's: Sat, Dec 24, 2016 @7:35 AM.
#SecureThePorch: Accomplished

The holidays just don't get any better than this. The Breakfast Club occupied the entire back porch of the Corner Cafe & Grill on Saturday, Dec 24, 2016. I was the first to arrive as it is my job to secure the tables; shortly thereafter, the others started to show up with the exception of Mike H. Mike - we all agreed to let it slide this time on account that it's your birthday weekend but this can't become a habit. You seem to have a calming influence on the rest of us that is badly needed at times.

Not only did Mike B. show up with his son but also with his grandson. That's three generations of the BK club in attendance. The future of the BK club appears to be in good hands but hopefully the future will not be coming anytime soon. A special thanks to Mike & Laurie B. for the Christmas Egg Nog. It was possibly the best Egg Nog I have ever had. The flavor and aroma were old-school with a little 'holiday strength' to it. As I took my first sip, I closed my eyes and savored all the elements that were sliding across my taste buds. In that moment, I was taken back to my youth, sitting around with all my siblings and parents, enjoying the holidays in the house I grew up in.

For a change, Jim showed up earlier than usual along with Zach, Patrick & Brennan. We are in high season with the College Football pool and Jim & Patrick are in strong contention for a money prize. Hey Widdoss boys, don't get too comfortable. With roughly 15 more bowl games to go, it is way too early to declare 'Widdoss Dominance'. But it does appear that we are the only BK members in the conversation for the money prizes. I believe I already picked up 4 points since the last time the leaderboard was published with Hawaii winning the Hawaii Bowl with a score of 52-35 over Middle Tennessee State.

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During the holidays, it is not uncommon for the Breakfast Club to share obscure beers with each other and this season was no exception. Brennan M. brought a few beers from the Stable 12 Brewing Company out of Phoenixville, PA. With a motto of "From Barn to Bottle, Beer with a Kick", who wouldn't want to patronize this brewery. The beers from Stable 12:

Name: Bridge Street Kolsch
Style: Kolsch
ABV: 4.9%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
This beer is brewed in the tradition of a German Kolsch beer and is perfect when looking for something on the lighter side.

Name: One Trick Pony Series #3(Mosaic)
Style: Ale
ABV: 5.1%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
IBUs: 39 (IBUs - International Bitterness Units scale)
If you like a Session Beer heavy on the hops, this is the beer for you with a boat load of Mosaic hops.

Name: Wild West Coast IPA
Style: IPA
ABV: 7.8%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
IBUs: 108 (IBUs - International Bitterness Units scale)
If you like a West Coast IPA, then you'll love this beer.

While I was meandering through the local liquor store, I felt myself drawn to the back room where I spotted a 12 pack sitting by itself on the top shelf in the corner. After brushing the dust off the box, I discovered, the beer was called Paterno Legacy Series Lager and I had to share this beer with the Breakfast Club. I purchased this beer for the same reason someone buys a ticket at the carnival to see the half-man, half-reptile show. This is so weird!!! Who in their right mind would name a beer like this? For a moment I assumed this beer must have been created in the pre-Sandusky scandal era, but I later learned this beer was conceived in 2014 and first produced in 2015. I don't even have to go into detail on why this is an example of what tone deaf is. This is why so many people think Penn State fans are arrogant, delusional and stupid. There is no other way to put it. I know it's the Christmas season but that doesn't mean all logic and decency are suspended. This had to be said. Now it's time for PSU to go out to the Rose Bowl and get your butts kicked. Go Trojans!!!!!

Brewery: Duquesne Brewing Company, Pittsburgh, PA
Beer Name: Joe Paterno Legacy Series
Style: Lager
ABV: 4.8%
Beer Advocate Rating: 77
A Vienna style lager characterized by it's rich, red caramel color and subtle hop flavors.

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As I was waiting to pay for my breakfast, Chris from behind the counter called out to me and said he had a Christmas gift for me. Who would have thought the morning could get even better as he produced the following beers for me to take home. I do love the IPAs.

Brewery: Other Half Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Beer Name: Fully Frothed
Style: American Double/Emperial IPA
ABV: 8.5%
Beer Advocate Rating: 91
This beer is a collaboration with Half Acre Beer Company & Other Half with a full hop assault.

Brewery: Other Half Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Beer Name: Responsible Adult
Style: American IPA
ABV: 4.8%
Beer Advocate Rating: None
A Session IPA brewed with massive amount of hops and a low ABV.

Brewery: Kane Brewery, Ocean, NJ
Beer Name: Kane Head HIgh
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Beer Advocate Rating: 94
This beer is all about the hops with a variety of five different blends.

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No one will ever accuse the Breakfast Club of not knowing how to have a good time.

Christmas Card Update - The week before Christmas was very good to me as it delivered a good number of cards. The double doors are almost all filled up and my entranceway no longer looks pathetic. Stand in my doorway and your senses are immersed in the season of Christmas. My faith in Christmas Card giving has been restored.

Mike H. - Happy Birthday on Dec 25. I know I wished you a Happy Birthday on last week's blog but if your birthday falls on Christmas day, you deserve an extra birthday wish.

Are Christmas Cards a Fading Tradition?

Arrived at Bobby's: Sat, Dec 17, 2016 @7:35 AM.
#SecureThePorch: Accomplished

The temperature was in the 20's, snow was falling, the driving conditions were hazardous, and the plows were all out but there was no way I was going to miss breakfast at Bobby's today. I had a Pork Roll Egg and cheese sandwich with well-done breakfast potatoes waiting for me. In spite of the inclement weather, we had a full house with the exception of Mike B. Mike was absent due to an appointment he had to put in a vanity at his son's home. During the course of his plumbing work, he did manage to drop in on the Dog Fish Head brewery. The Dog Fish 60, rated 91 by Beer Advocate, is one of my favorite non-Vermont IPAs. Mike, we are all aware of your plumbing prowess but a couple of cans of Dog Fish Head 60 or 90 could turn any plumbing job into a leaky mess.

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At the front entrance to my home are exterior double doors. Every Christmas season, we tape the Christmas cards we receive from family, friends, and acquaintances to the inside of the doors. The cards are typically colored for the season in green, silver, red, etc., with a sprinkle of glitter covering some of the cards. Nearby would be a candle burning with the scent of Balsam Pine or some other holiday scent with fresh garland adorning the stairway railing. All this makes for a very festive atmosphere. Those cards that would not fit on the two doors would be placed in a decorative bowl on a small table nearby. Stand in my entrance way and your senses would be immersed in the season of Christmas.

The last couple of years, we have received a smaller and smaller number of Christmas cards. This year, we are close to single digits. My entrance way is pathetic. Maybe I have pissed off more people than I usually do. Am I the only one experiencing this? Is the tradition of giving Christmas cards rapidly fading? Is this another American Christmas tradition that is going by the wayside like the Yule Log or the Christmas Pickle? (Yes - the Christmas Pickle. Look it up.) I wonder if this is happening in other countries as well?

For my friends back in Germany.
Sind Weihnachtskarten eine verblassende Tradition?

For my friends back in France.
Les cartes de Noël sont-elles une tradition qui s'estompe?

Is it possible, the week before Christmas will deliver the lion's share of cards? Please, somebody, help me understand this!

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Some BK Banter

Obfuscation - To deliberately confuse or render something unclear or murky, much like the dirty water that makes it hard to see the bottom of the swamp. This is what is happening with the media harping on fake news and Russian hacking. Of course, these issues must be addressed and those responsible should be dealt with accordingly. But, the ultimate question is "has the outcome of the election been remotely affected?". The answer is a resounding "No!". To suggest otherwise is absurd. I wonder how the recount is going...that story quickly fell off the news radar.

College Football Playoffs - The committee got it right.

Wake Forest football scandal - Please, NCAA stay out of it. You would only make matters worse. Let the schools handle it. This doesn't exactly measure up to Watergate.

Steve - Thanks for the tee shirts(left). We can never have too much Breakfast Club apparel.

Al - Many thanks(to Bev) for the Buckeyes. They are a favorite treat every year. You have set the bar very high with Christmas treats. I had intended to include a picture of the Buckeyes but I eat them all.

Happy Birthday to my lovely wife Cindy on Mon, Dec 19.

Happy Birthday Coach Tom on Wed, Dec 21.

Mike H. - Happy Birthday on Sun, Dec 25.

Is Bobby open on Christmas Eve, this Saturday, Dec 24th?

One Tough Crowd!

Arrived: 7:40 AM
#SecureThePorch - Failed

One by one the Breakfast Club members started to arrive at Bobby's around 7:45 AM. First Rick, then Mike B., followed by Tom and Mike H. The other handful of members typically arrive around 8:30 AM. For the most part, this is the order of arrival that plays out every Saturday at the Corner Cafe & Grill. Only this time, it was a little different. Falling behind in my Saturday morning ritual by 10 minutes, I pulled into the parking lot at 7:40 AM. I appeared to be the second car in the parking lot and immediately breathed a sigh of relief thinking that the porch was all mine. After being greeted by Eric, Bobby and staff, I placed my order and walked to the back porch only to find one of my tables occupied. Yes, my tables! Now I am going to hear it from the BK boys...one tough crowd.

"Ed, what happened", followed by a long face.

"Isn't securing the table your job"?

Long face followed by "this isn't the first time Ed, come on now".

"We may have to get someone else to secure the table".

But the best was "Ed, you have a job to do and my job is to make sure you do your job. So, if you can't fulfill your job, we may have to have a different discussion. It's nothing personal but you might not be fit for this job".

These guys aren't fooling me though. Nobody is willing to arrive at Bobby's as early as I do. My job as Head of Security for the Breakfast Club is as secure as a Supreme Court Justice.

Eventually, the porch was all ours and we were able to align all the tables and chairs to our liking.

This happens about twice per year. Does anybody remember the other 40 or so times that the back porch is secure for the BK Club? No, it doesn't work like that. I now know how Bill Buckner of the Boston Red Sox feels. He accumulated over 2700 hits over a 22 year career, won a batting title in 1980 and played in the All Star game. But he is best remembered for his infamous error he committed in the 1986 World Series against the NY Mets. An error that is heavily entrenched in American baseball lore. For you non-baseball fans, maybe I could make the comparison to Pee Wee Herman. A great comic with an illustrious career.  He makes one mistake...wait...never mind...maybe Pee Wee Herman isn't the best example. But you get my point. Do countless things right and one thing wrong and what do people remember? The one thing you did wrong.

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A couple of the boys brought Christmas gifts to distribute today. Jim gave out calendars with a picture for each month featuring one or more of the BK members. I am sure this will be prominently featured on many desks this year.

Cindy, my lovely wife, called Bobby and picked up the tab for today's Breakfast Club tab. I am taking credit for that also.

Perry gave out very nice towels that are monogrammed with BK and recipients initials. My towel also has a monogrammed fish and a hook. I can't tell you how excited I am to use this on my next fishing trip. This towel also has a very convenient hook to affix to my belt while fishing. Call me crazy or even simple-minded, but I get so excited about anything to do with fishing. This could be the best gift I receive all year. You should see how I get when someone gives me a bag of plastic worms for Christmas. A child who still believes in Santa Clause has nothing on me in terms of excitement anf joy.

Mike H gave me a beer Koosie with an inscription of "I love Fishing(and vacuuming, and securing the porch, Ed Bauer - Head of BK Security, BK Blogger). Mike - I love it!!!

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There was a bit of chatter on how the BK Club Fantasy Football league is being run. I heard one complaint after another about the current commissioner. I kind of felt bad for the commissioner because I know how it feels to be unjustly attacked by your 'friends'. Allegedly, he has collected a lot of money, different members paying different entrance fees and the rules are somewhat fluid ...which is a polite way of saying the commissioner can be bought off. He doesn't make things any better for himself when he raises his wallet above his head and proclaims "cha-ching" every time somebody asks him to clarify a rule. The whole mood around the BK Fantasy League is very contentious. It is not a healthy situation. In the past, there never were any accusations of corruption. But, if I'm not mistaken, things changed around the same time Donald Trump won the election. The commissioner keeps saying "we're going to make the BK Club great again". Nobody knows what that means and is afraid to ask in fear of the commissioner tacking on another fantasy football fee. One person actually shouted out "now that Castro is dead there's only one dictator left". This whole fantasy football is really getting out of control. I am glad I am not involved.

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Lottery Update: Over the past year, the Breakfast Club has purchased $770 of lottery tickets with winnings of $51.  Each month we hand over $20 to the Breakfast Club Treasurer and he takes a portion of that money and purchases lottery tickets. The remaining money is kept in our kiddy for various expenditures and charitable donations. Many of the members are starting to wonder aloud "maybe we shouldn't be purchasing so many lottery tickets". The one person who seems most adamant about continuing with the current 'investment strategy' is the Breakfast Club Treasurer. He insists, "you have to be in it to win it" or "you only have to win the big one once". Oh - did I fail to mention, the Breakfast Club Treasurer is also the commissioner of the Breakfast Club Fantasy Football league.

The Breakfast Club Christmas Dinner

#SecureThePorch - Accomplished 7:40 AM 

It was good to be back at Bobby's after a brief hiatus. Everything about the place was just right. The back porch was empty and waiting for us, the pork roll and bacon were crispy, the waffles and pancakes were smothered in butter and syrup, and the potatoes and eggs were cooked to perfection, All that with a large cup of coffee to start the weekend and there is nothing to complain about. 

We had a big crowd this week. Rutgers football is over as well as the conference championships. Nothing is left in College Football but the playoffs and the bowls. I need a strong showing in the secret CFB bowl pool. There is a rumor flying around that I may be banished from the CFB season pool all because I don't always submit my picks in a timely manner. A first place showing may be the 'end-around' I need to convince these guys that I belong.

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Pat & Jim - You deserve a big thanks for putting together the annual Breakfast Club Christmas dinner held at The Old Bay restaurant in New Brunswick. I am sure it is not easy to satisfy everybody with the date, restaurant, the menu, etc. But one thing is certain, we are always in good hands when Pat and/or Jim are in charge of scheduling social activities. The food was delicious, the service excellent and the company and conversation were second to none.  Every time I turned around someone was handing me a plate of cajun food as big as my head. Typically I never bring food home because I always finish what is on my plate but that would have been impossible at The Old Bay. The portions were enormous.

Jim - there aren't many guys who can pull off wearing a Christmas tree with blinking lights that doubles as a sweater but you did it well.

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Mike B. - You saved the day. Last week my sump pump failed to work resulting in a few inches of water in my basement following a few days of heavy rain. Of course, Cindy, my wife, urged me to check on the basement and I assured her I would but failed to see the urgency. The next day, I had two inches of water in the basement and a foot and a half of an angry wife. Mike, the son of a plumber, answered my plea and showed up with all sorts of wrenches, valves, converters, pipes, saws, tools, etc. Within 30 minutes, all water was removed from the floor and the pipes were bone dry. Mike, if your IT job doesn't work out, you'd make a great plumber.

Following our plumbing work, we figured we were entitled to a few choice beers. When I offer Mike a beer I know have to be on my 'A' game. In addition to being the son of a plumber, he is also a connoisseur of craft beer. I had been sitting on a beer from my Vermont selection, called Double Dose IPA. It is a collaboration effort between Lawson's Finest Liquids and Otter Creek Brewing Company, two very fine breweries in Vermont where craft beer is on fire. This beer is an American Double/Imperial IPA rated 95 by Beer Advocate and has an ABV(Alcohol by Volume) of 8.5%. Drinks well, hazy and copper in color with an off-white head and a healthy amount of sediment by design. Personally, I favor the IPA's that are heavy on aroma which is absent in this beer but I would definitely consider this beer very good.

Mike offered up a beer called Citra Ass Down by Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse. Citra Ass Down is also an American Double/Imperial IPA with an ABV of 8.2% and rated 88 by Beer Advocate. This is a very hop forward American style IPA. Brewed with Pale, Vienna, Munich, and wheat malt for a solid base for all American hops, focusing mainly on the variety “Citra.” These hops have a very distinct citrusy and tropical fruit flavor and aroma. Poured from the can, delivering a healthy head with an amber color, this beer was very drinkable and worthy of it's rating.

Both beers were very good and very strong. I am starting to figure out why I wasn't in the mood too much for beer at the Breakfast Club Christmas party. The Double Dose by Lawsons is only available in Vermont and ot overly produced. Citra Ass Down is available on rotation...I.E. It is hard to get and is not widely distributed.

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My son Mark brought a bit of 'Bern' to the spirited discussion we had about the announcement that Carrier will be keeping roughly 1000 jobs in Indiana that were scheduled to be moved to Mexico. Some 'Berners' fear all U.S. companies will now have the government hostage. This logic seems to be a bit of a stretch to me and born in the belief that all corporations are evil. For one, Governors are always making deals to keep and attract companies. In addition, if anyone is going to be held hostage, I would rather the private sector hold the government hostage rather than the reverse. The government is supposed to work for it's citizens, not the other way around. After digesting all that has been said, I believe the bottom line is the Trump administration is expected to be kinder to business than the Obama administration has been. If taxes come down and regulations get cut, businesses may have an incentive to stay. Only time will tell but I just don't see a down-side at the moment.

But, Mark and all offspring of the BK Club, don't be a stranger. Although the BK Club is a think-tank of sorts, it's always refreshing to hear what the next generation is thinking.