Banana Shpeel

I have had the opportunity to see a few Cirque du Soleil shows in the past. The first show I saw was in Montreal during the summer of 2005, when I was living there. It occurs in a large tent located in the Old Port. I do not remember what the actual show was called, but I do remember being amazed by the ability of the acrobats and gymnasts.

The other Cirque du Soleil show I was able to attend was "O" at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. I saw that show in the winter (maybe February?) of 2008. O was amazing. It featured aquatic actors, gymnasts, swimmers. Some scenes seemed like they were dancing on water, other in the water and it was just breathtaking. I loved every moment.

Cirque du Soleil shows are different than most plays or musicals one might attend. The talent itself is outstanding and features some of the worlds best acrobats and gymnasts in the world. In addition, all feature some type of story that are compelling and suck you in, but even if you are not into the story, you can fully appreciate and be entertained by the talent and choreography.

Cirque du Soleil is announcing a new show entitled Banana Shpeel. It is a take on old time Vaudeville shows. It features tap, hip hop, and eccentric dancers. It is part musical, part variety show and, like you would expect from Cirque du Soleil, packed full of talent.

Banana Shpeel is a traveling show that will open in Chicago on November 19, 2009. Their website, found here, lists additional cities and dates, so be sure to check it out and do not miss this new fabulous show by Cirque du Soleil!

What would happen to the Viaduct duing a Major Earthquake?

Well, a newly released WSDOT simulation has a very scary and horrifying animation of what could happen.

Hailing from Detroit, I have not been in an Earthquake (well, if you do not count the mini ones we have here.) I am not sure what to do exactly, as the only real thing I know about earthquakes is what I learned from that Saved by the Bell episode where Mrs. Belding has her baby in the elevator and Zach helps her deliver it.

Anyway, here is to hoping I am not on the viaduct or the waterfront if Seattle gets another large earthquake.

Capital Grille Best of the Seasons Dinner

Last night I had the pleasure of dining with three friends for a quiet, pre-birthday dinner. We chose Capital Grille at 4th and University, in Downtown Seattle. I have been to the Capital Grille in Troy, MI but never the one here so I was excited to check it out.

We got there a little before our reservation so we had a quick drink at the bar. The bartender was extremely nice and very personable. I would feel totally comfortable sitting at the bar alone if I was on a business trip or waiting for friends.

Our table was ready a few minutes later, so we shifted positions. Joseph was our waited and he was extremely knowledgeable and made us feel right at home. We are question askers and he did not mind at all. We asked about everything on the menu, what to order, to explain the dishes and he knew all of the answers.

Right now Capital Grille is offering "Best of the Season" which is a three course meal for $39. If you have ever wanted to try Capital Grille this is an excellent way to get an amazing meal for a price that is economy friendly.



The appetizer choice was either a Butternut Squash Bisque with Crisp Shiitake Mushrooms or Pear and Roquefort Salad with Candied Walnuts and Champagne Vinaigrette. One of my friends wanted to test the Bisque before ordering it, so Joseph brought out small testers for the entire table.


I can never pass up a good salad, especially if it contains pears. I am so glad I tried the salad. The champagne dressing was amazing and complemented the rest of the ingredients perfectly. Actually, I am kind of craving the dressing today, too.


The entree choices were Prosciutto Wrapped Lion’s Paw Scallops with 12-Year-Aged Balsamic, Parmesan Crusted Filet with Red Wine Demi-Glace or Seared Halibut with Marcona Almonds and Sherried Tomato Relish. All of them sounded amazing and I originally was going to order the Halibut until our waited described the filet. I ordered it Medium Rare and it was cooked perfectly! It was a nice warm red center, just like I like it (I may be part Vampire?). The parmesan crust, while I have never really though to put parmesan on a filet, was a perfect topping and I found myself wishing my whole plate was covered in parmesan crust, as it was that good. The filet was served over sauteed spinach leaves with garlic cloves, which were also cooked perfectly (I kind of knocked mine over before taking the picture, oops!)


Next was a side dish, large enough for two people, of Truffle Mac 'N' Cheese. Now, most know I do not do mushrooms or anything with mushrooms so I stayed away from this dish but everyone at my table loved it. Besides truffle oil, there were actual truffles mixed in with the Mac & Cheese. From what I hear, it was amazing.

By this time we were so full because it was so much food - but we still had to choose a dessert! The choices were Warm Apple Crisp with Housemade Cinnamon Ice Cream or Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce. I love anything with apples so I chose that dish - and I made the right decision. I am not much of an ice cream eater but I could eat this cinnamon ice cream all day! Joseph told us it was made in house by the pasty chef and you could tell! The cinnamon ice cream complemented the warm apples, oatmeal and brown sugar perfectly. My friend had the pumpkin cheese cake which was monstrous, definitely large enough for two to share maybe even three.


Last I should mention the wine. Capital Grille has an extensive wine selection with glasses in all price ranges, so you can spend as little or as much as you want on wines but still get a great selection. Our waiter had a vast knowledge of wines in our price range and helped us make the best selections.



If you have not been to Capital Grille in Seattle, I highly suggest going especially with this three course Best of the Seasons special menu. It is an easy way to have an amazing meal at a very affordable price.

Free Jack Johnson Download via Twitter

So, I love free stuff and I love Twitter and I love Jack Johnson... so... it was announced today that Jack is giving away free MP3s off his new album, En Concert.

All you have to do is log into your Twitter account and then click this link - http://twitter.jackjohnsonmusic.com/. After you tweet out a message that is already prepared for you (you can add more if you wish) your download will start automatically.

I think this is a great way for a musician to promote Twitter!

Holiday Cards

The Holiday season does not start for a few months, but it's about that time to start thinking about photo holiday cards!

Right now you can save 55% on all holiday cards at 123print.com! They have a ton of template designs to choose from that cover virtually any holiday or occasion. You can choose a flat card or a fold-over card and then the card can be customizes to fit your personality, including adding a family photo. In addition to cards, 123Print offers stationary, labels, memo pads, Post-It notes and personalized envelopes to match your holiday theme.

This is a fast, easy and inexpensive way to get a great holiday customized holiday card to send to your friends and family.