Happy Holidays From Central Maine

I'm often asked, "Chadwik66, how does a discerning individual such as yourself spend the winter holidays?" The common assumptions usually include some combination of fine art, heated fireside chats about postmodernism, decades old scotch and caroling in authentic 18th century garb. While such activities would not be unlike me, I usually prefer to let my hair down around the holidays and really let loose.

First, every holiday season should be spent with family. After all, if it weren't for them, none of us would have to a legit reason to drink away a week of torment on New Year's Eve. I spent most of Christmas day with my brothers this year.

Second, everyone should fully enjoy any gifts they receive. I was fortunate to receive some great L.L. Bean duds this year as well as a sweet Big Game Hunter game for Wii. Needless to say, the combination of a corduroy blazer (with leather elbow patches!), a scarf and a Wii gun can really bring out a man's inner beast.

Third, everyone should enjoy the local celebrations and decorations. The Freeport L. L. Bean Flagship store has a great tree, as does the South Street Seaport in NYC. Both also have frequent carolers, concerts and events during the holiday season.






















Finally, I truly enjoy having a drink or two and "going wild". For the 2009 holidays, this involved an accidental visit to NYC's #1 Gay Club, entering a "Stud Search" and walking away with $200 in cold hard cash. While I'm not about to make this an annual thing, I would recommend everyone partake in such events once in their lives for a good laugh (and great story!)
I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas season this year. I hope everyone else enjoyed Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, Kwanzaa or whatever consumer driven holidays you celebrate this time of year!

A Gratuitous Plug

I'll keep this one short and sweet. My good buddy Tim is a cook. Not just a cook, but a chef - and a damn good one at that. He actually rolls his own pasta by hand, knows where to find fresh zucchini buds and goat's milk at a moment's notice and prepared a full meal for his own 150 person wedding.

Being that I love to eat, drink and be merry, I dive head first into his mounds of delicious Italian goodness whenever I get a chance. Luckily for the good folks of Southern Maine, Tim and his wonderful wife have started Ancora Pasta:

"A family-run business that prides itself on producing fresh, dried, and frozen artisanal pasta the way it has been for centuries: by hand."

If you have a chance, stop by il pettine ed il ferretto or one of the many farmer's markets they attend and treat yourself to some of the best pasta this side of Italy.