Monday Monday 5.28.2008

All,

The question of how to start these emails usually plagues me, but after I complete a few lines, the rest usually comes pouring out. This might explain why the email that I'm currently writing will arrive in you inbox nothing short of a few days late. Although you have to give me some credit considering that I had Memorial Day off and Tuesday came and went really fast.

Maggie and I spent our Memorial Day weekend among college friends, but the three day weekend's culmination came at the wedding ceremony and celebration of Lindsey Conklin and Chris Brekelmans.

Since the wedding came last and because Christopher Spurchise is expecting a full report on my consumption activities, I will reserve the matrimonial fun for the latter part of the email. I will title the next few paragraphs "A Full Report."

A Full Report
I arrived at the Residence Inn near Carrier Circle in East Syracuse, New York at about 7:45PM on Thursday the twenty-second of May. I requested the company of one Christopher Spurchise for a late dinner at a favorite local establishment of his choosing. Understanding that my rare visit happened to coincide with the season finale of Spurch's favorite "non-Syracuse / non-DMB / non-sports related" television program, I was expecting a subway dinner. Luckily for me, someone invented digital cable allowing us to forget "Grey's Anatomy" and head straight to the Empire Brewery in downtown Syracuse where they serve a myriad of different New York made beverages. With so many to choose from, I decided on the sampler, so that I could gain a more wholesome perspective on this underground eatery. I recommend this pub for both beverages and ambiance. After dinner and a tree splitting conversation regarding the upcoming Presidential Election, we went back to the hotel for a few minutes before I had to pick up Maggie at the airport and call it a night.


On day two of my visit to the Spurch proclaimed "Greatest Place on Earth," I revisited a small chain restaurant called Tully's. Tully's makes the claim that they have "The World's Greatest Chicken Tenders," and suckers like me believe it without question. The brilliance of their marketing team to take a simple item that can be found on every menu in every restaurant and turn it into their biggest draw is outstanding. Hardly does there exist another item so easily or cheaply prepared than a chicken tender, but Tully's probably controls about 50-60% of the chicken tender market share in the greater Syracuse area. I recommend this establishment for their chicken tenders, insanely large cups of water, and their low prices. I don't recommend this establishment if you live outside the state of New York and would like a beverage from the cocktail menu as they won't serve you. Now I'm not genius or anything, but something tells me that the refusal to serve people who live out of state is a form of discrimination. Where's the supreme court to back up our drinking problems. I know that many restaurants don't take out of state ID's, but hey where would be today if our early settlers just went ahead and paid the stamp tax just because someone said it was the rule. I digress. . . .

In the time between lunch and dinner, Maggie and I took our adventure to the one structure that has kept Syracuse going. Currently dubbed "Destiny USA," the Carousel Mall makes for a few hours of walking and shopping. Rumors are a buzz that by the time renovations are complete, the mall will actually rival the Mall of America in Minnesota. Since I know you're wondering how much I may have spent in said mall, I must explain that we both escaped fiscally healthy. The major purchase came from FYE where we bought a used copy of Everybody Loves Raymond Season 8. Upon my completion of this season, I will only need to view the ninth season to have viewed all episodes.


Meeting back up with Spurchise allowed us the opportunity to visit another famed Syracuse eatery. In truth though, I believe the 585 (Rochester) should actually be taking credit for Dinosaur BBQ, while the Syracuse version is nothing but a knockoff attempt that actually turned a classic BBQ place from a Business Executive/Biker hangout into a Business Executive/Biker hangout chain. I wanted to order some giant sampler platter, but cooler heads (Maggie and Spurch) prevailed, so I only ordered a two meet combo that came with Pulled Pork and Ribs. What can I say except that you can't go wrong with good BBQ.

K-Lob met up with us on day 3 (Saturday), so the three of us hooked up with Timmy LaRocque and Corey Finch for dinner. We then went over to Timmy's condo to learn a new drinking game that actually made for a pretty good time. Unfortunately Timmy and Maggie took two games from Kevin and I as our record ended up being a lousy 1 and 2. . . . I know I know. . . .we didn't even make .500. But hey, the New York Yankees won the world series almost 30 times, and they don't even have a .500 record right now. (Sidebar: I got my NYY Yankee Tickets yesterday).

Wedding
First and foremost, I'll take the opportunity to electronically congratulate Lindsey and Chris again on their marriage. On Sunday, we drove about 45 minutes outside of Syracuse to Vernon Downs to meet up with Ryan, Kate, Sandy, and Brian (Sandy's boyfriend) for the Conklin/Brekelmans wedding mentioned above. The wedding took place at Greystone Castle just a few minutes away from the hotel. While Ryan Stephens was taking notes for his own wedding scheduled to take place next year, we all watched a beautifully performed and adorned wedding take place. The remarkable thing about this wedding in particular is the personal flavor of the celebration. Although we've known Lindsey and Chris for a number of years now, the comments made by the bride and groom's family both during and after the ceremony gave us a lot of new insight from people that have always known them through every stage of life. Its amazing how the two families seem to fit together so well. As of the publishing of this letter, I believe the happily married couple is in Los Angeles enjoying thier honeymoon.


In Closing
I could go on for quite a bit longer about Syracuse and the Wedding, but I'll be very impressed if you've made it this far. I'm supposedly working from home the entire month of June, but those plans might be changing slightly. Either way. . . enjoy the rest of your week and you'll hear from me again on Monday

Ryan