Archives Under "jeff" (RSS)
Sorry Ladies, You Lose.
19 October 2009 | jeff, news, wife | 4 Responses
Why do you lose, ladies; you might be asking? Well that’s because my skinny ass is officially off the market. The love of my life said “I do, ” and I said it back in a dream-like setting. We danced our asses off with friends and family, there were over a million pictures taken and I was in some of them. All kidding aside; my wedding day was surreal, like a fantasy. My Dad officiated, making it both special and intimate. I also knew any promise I made in front of him, I’d better mean it. I can’t recall all the best things that were said this once-in-a-life-time day, all the special moments that transpired. I did walk away with a beautiful wife, and I did fart on the wedding cake. My best men gave heart-warming speeches to which I could only reply with silly tears, my friends and family showed such generosity in the giving of gifts that I can hardly stand it. At one point during the night, I looked around at all the faces, the people. Suddenly the air rushed out of my lungs, my vision blurred at the edges (more tears,) and I was amazed. Simply amazed at the gathering of awesomeness that had rallied to celebrate the union of me and my best good friend. After all the build up and anticipation and nervousness, it was a no-brainer. When I saw my long time girlfriend then fiancee almost wife walking down the isle with her dad, I knew I was set for life. From here on out, it was all just details.
Taking This Too Seriously
1 June 2009 | blog, faithful readers, jeff | 4 Responses
It’s been difficult to write lately; I’ve been too picky. I’ve been to selective. I have no time to be picky. I’ve been trying too hard to come up with something emotionally sweeping, something simply fraught with import. Fuck all that. Writing for me should spout, flow from the fingers in a furious foray, shout out. With words. Fuck all that, too. I need to throw a turd at the wall and hope it sticks, and doesn’t smell. Everybody and his brother has a silly blog. I think one that people read should be compelling and personal and raw and funny. Sometimes offensive, yes. Like humans. Should it give information? Sure. Why not? But what’s to prevent you, faithful reader of the blogosphere, from getting that information somewhere else? The net is vast and boundless. Information is truly everywhere, input available at any time and any place. 30 second clips and jpegs and words so many words swirl in a whirlwind none of these words will wind up heard. Somewhere between Twitter and WordPress lies the perfect blog. Random yet poingant, thoughtful or not. Unique and engaging but quickly, please, I’ve got four tabs open.
7 days in Colorado.
18 March 2009 | jeff, people, vail | No Responses
Kate and I took a short trip back to Colorado a few weeks ago. We had some wedding details to work out, so I added a few days to my trip to snowboard with my brother and party. The snowboarding was sunny and fast, I got a wicked burn sun-bathing afterward while eating sliders. Kate and I had a world class meal at Splendido, the restaurant where we’ll be wed. They sliced the foie thick and the room was subtley beautiful; dark and warm. My brother Thomas had a Skate Jam at his house, the band played and the kids skated. His apartment has a couple of quarter pipes and a pump bump running through it. The band squeezed into the living room, pounding out metal while I drank beers and watched the skaters. There were about fifteen people there which was perfect, any more and would it would have been to crowded to skate. We traveled to Denver at one point to see Coheed open for Slipknot, but missed most of the show because of a ridiculous mile-long line. The next day, back in the high country, I met up with some of my old boys and we hit up the Minturn Country Club. It’s a cook-your-own steakhouse, and they do prime rib-eye by the inch. I had them slice off a fatty and I grilled up mushrooms and onions to cover the top. I had about three too many 90 Shillings and two shots, but the huge steak kept me upright. It was a great trip that was much needed after a long couple of weeks. I finally got to meet my brother’s dog Bean, and his girlfriends dog Bentley. My boys at the restaurant held my station down for me, and it wasn’t all cook-handed up when I returned. At least not that badly.
Mount of The Holy Cross.
22 November 2008 | jeff, mountain, vail | No Responses
In August of 2007 I hiked Mt of The Holy Holy Cross with my two dogs Jelly and Jam. Holy Cross and Notch Mountain create sort of a crown in the Holy Cross Wilderness, which I lived near the edge of for 5 years. This peak is visible for miles around in the central Rocky Mountains. One of the most incredible views is seen when exiting the gondola on Vail Mountain, at Eagle’s Nest. I often gazed at it, strapping into my snowboard, imagining what it would be like to stand on top of it. Dominating the horizon and towering at 14,000 feet it frightened and enticed me. Jelly and Jam were up for it, both seasoned hikers. The afternoon walk up into the saddle of Half Moon Pass was breezy, except for the 60 pound pack. Dogs roamed freely, Jam tearing through the woods chasing every marmot, and Jelly trailed, watching my feet from behind. The first vista spins 360. West, Mt. Jackson and the first close view of Holy Cross, East, The Back Bowls of Vail and the Gore Range. To the right, the north saddle of Notch Mountain, and the the south, the shoulder of Notch Itself. I sat here for a while, catching my breath and preparing for the downward spiral into the next valley, the base of Holy Cross. Here I would camp, near a water fall and babbling creek. I made a camp meal I can’t remember, I was in an excited daze thinking about the following day. The dogs were nervous too, and looking lethargic, blowing their load in the first leg. I slept restlessly. The morning took forever, I fried eggs and loaded my day pack. Jelly maued her food, Jam was indifferent, as usual, but ate nonetheless. A gentle push up from the campsite quickly opened up into a steep rock field, cairns dotting its slope to show the way. At some point in the climb, these two dudes burned me. They were wearing casual jogging gear and trucking the side of this mountain. I didn’t see anyone else until the summit. As I claimed the first ridge of the ascent, I saw a view that will stay with me forever; the west facing slope of Notch Mountain. I felt like it was watching me for the rest of the hike, looming in my periphery. On Holy Cross’s shoulder I kept losing the trail. I would be looking down, choosing my steps rhythmically, listening to Pelican on myPod and when I looked up…no trail. Wandering around aimlessly for a bit, I would always find Jelly, sitting silently and peacefully on the trail, watching me. Her look would say “What are you doing dipshit?” Ahh the pleasures of a too-smart dog. On the final push to the summit, the vistas became increasingly incredible. Looking down into the Bowl of Tears below, marveling at the perfect day around me, feeling light headed. Finally on the summit after 3 plus hours, I met some people. Jam was more than happy to make friends, while Jelly and I just wanted to try and take it all in. The panorama was staggering. As often happens to me on high peaks, I couldn’t stay long. For me the journey is the main source of enjoyment, and sitting still at the pinnacle of a rocky apex always proves a struggle for me. I took a few pictures, packed some snow into my camelback’s bladder, and started to slowly pick my way down. A keen sense of accomplishment and silly over-tired slap-happiness had me smiling all the way back to my campsite. At some point I slipped and fell and smashed myPod, but it still worked for another two hours. I regained the campsite in silence around 4 in the afternoon. Eating and packing up I filtered some water from the nearby stream, then slowly made my way up and out of the valley and toward the car. Driving home felt strange and beautiful, I was a different man, now. My relationship with nature had deepened, and with my dogs as well. Atop that mountain, I felt something best described by William Gibson in Virtual Light.
“…a fleeting awareness of something very high, very pure, and quite clinically empty; the doing of the thing, the not-thinking; that weird adrenal exultation and the losing of every more troublesome aspect of self.”
Cinco de Mayo Weekend.
11 May 2008 | beer, chef, food, jeff | 4 Responses
On Saturday I rolled into work and found out I’d be doing an off-site catering event. I scrambled to get my prep done so I could be off to the Portland Indie Wine Festival. We were serving Chef’s delicious Cauliflower Panna Cotta with Dungeness Crab Salad and Trout Roe. We got there a little late and by the time we set up our table, throngs of people surrounded us. The panna cotta was flying off our display at such a rate at first we were totally going down, even though we had brought about six hundred of them. It was all we could do to keep up. After the initial rush, we noticed people
were setting our little appetizer cups into their wine glasses so they could walk, talk, and eat. There was some cool stuff at this event, but the general consensus was that we had the best food. Some folks came back three or four times. We sold every single one we brought, and after cleaning up, we took a quick cab back to the restaurant to help with a busy night of service. Kate and her friend showed up for happy hour, and I knew Jaybill and Keri were coming in for his birthday dinner. With 80 something on the books we were in for a fun night. While the boys cooked their assess off, put up a multi-course (eight?) tasting dinner for my brother and his wife, I played gopher-boy for the line and plated desserts. I brought Kate a dessert sampler platter, and my brothers table had three dessert courses. They were gushing with satisfaction at thier meal. The following day, Chef threw a party at his house for Cinco de Mayo. I got up early and made empanadas with sausage and cheese. I started drinking PBR early and by 4:00, I was completely shnaukered. The sun was out, Salty Dogs were poured, and I made a dipping sauce from all the available items on the buffet. Guac, , sour cream, ceviche, bean dip, and who knows what all went in there. I got hella sick and stunk out the bathroom. It was a nightmare of clogged sinks, overflowing toilets, no paper, and people were pounding on the door!! I was embarrassed, but party kept on, and among friends all was well. We’ll remember this party. I fell of early, and Kate picked me up and we hit up Kennedy School for burgers and cheesecake.
Google Search: Jeff McCarthy
8 May 2008 | faithful readers, jeff, news | 1 Response
Faithful readers, I am number TWO on the first page of Google search : Jeff McCarthy. I’ve finally made it onto the first page and that theatrical performer Jeff McCarthy better watch his ass. Seriously folks, I’m blowin’ up!! The Olive Oil Beignets were mentioned in Bon Appetit, and Pastry and Baking North America is doing a regional showcase on me this month. Jaybill also uninstalled Windows Vista from my laptop, and with XP, I’m blogging extreme!! Actually, I’m busy as shit and haven’t had much time to sit in front this machine. I’ve got a couple things in the works however so stay tuned!!
An Engaging Journey.
22 April 2008 | Europe, jeff, news | 3 Responses
A light rain gently cascaded down, the Eiffel Tower loomed overhead, resplendent in all it’s glory, and I, on bended knee, asked Kate to marry me. She said YES!! She accepted the cheap stunt ring I presented her in lieu of the real one that was tied up in customs. Okay it’s not that big of a surprise to anyone, we’ve been seeing eachother for 4 or so years, and living together (in sin) for a time as well. Like any relationship, we’ve had our ups and downs, and we realize as much as anyone that it is work. You’ve got work at it. I mean being considerate? That was a tough one for me. Putting the toilet seat down? Forget about it! Seriously folks, all kidding aside, I am extremely excited to make Kate my wife and official life-long companion, I would be lost without her. She continues to make me laugh daily, and cares about me more than anyone ever has. She has shown me what love truly is, and I couldn’t imagine being away from her. The three week trip we just took was a good test of this thing we call “us.” Sure we bickered. Sure we wanted to punch eachother in the back of the head. Sure we made people uncomfortable with the way we talk to eachother (”well you’re a fat idiot,”) but like I said, that’s us. We haven’t set a date yet, or really set anything in stone, but we’ll probably give ourselves about a year with this engagement thing. The only thing we know for sure is we’ll be wed in Colorado, where we met. And that we love eachother.
Back In the U.S.A.
21 April 2008 | jeff, news | 4 Responses
We returned to the United States of America at about 3pm on Sunday afternoon. After walking down the jetway, our ears perked up to the sounds of loudly spoken ebonics, the smell of fried food and freshly brewed venti white chocolate mochas. It was good to be home. To blog abouty our trip all at once would be an excercise in futility. Suffice to say it was (in a word) outstanding, and I’m now engaged to be married to my soulmate and best friend, Kate. We ate, we saw famous art, we ate some more, we saw famous architecture, we ate again, we walked miles and miles, we drank wine and beer, we got engaged, we ate, then we came home. Over the next X amount of time, I will be posting random excerpts from my journal and pictures from our journey, so sit tight faithful readers, they’ll be plenty of that to come. I’m excited to get back to work, and return to reality. Three weeks of trains, planes, and automobiles, hotel bedrooms, eating out and walking your ass off gets to you after awhile. Traveling thorough six countries in 20 days was quite an adventure. By the time we reached Brussels, Belgium, we didn’t care if we saw another painting, ate another fancy meal, or rode on another train ever again. We just wanted to be home. Its good to be home, there is in fact, no place like it.
Outtie 5000.
29 March 2008 | faithful readers, jeff, news | 1 Response
Well faithful readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed this past weeks flurry of posting, because you won’t see fuck all until I get back from Europe. That’s right, Kate and I are taking off for a well deserved and long planned vacation. Landing in Germany and traveling through Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France before flying out of Brussels, Belgium. I have never taken a trip like this, and the thought of all the raw milk butter and cheese is just staggering. I’d like to thank Jaybill and Keri in advance for watching my bitches, and big ups to the guys at work for holding down the pastry station, and of couse keeping the game going. I’m sure I’ll have tons to write about when I get back, so until then, arevaderche suckers!! Consider this my exit phrase!
Still Searching.
18 December 2007 | Ten 01, chef, genoa, jack yoss, jeff | No Responses
So I had two more interviews this week, Ten 01 and Genoa. Both of these restaurants are looking for a pastry dude. Meeting with the chef at Ten 01, and seeing the kitchen and dining room, man I want that job. Chef Jack Yoss runs a kitchen the way I like. Everyone that works for him wants to be there, wants to bust their ass for him. During the whole interview, he kept jumping back on the line and helping his crew knock out plates during a busy lunch service. He’s looking for a guy to implement a pastry program, and also help with whatever savory work there might be. Pantry plating, shucking oysters, banquets, etc. Perfect!! The pastry station is really awesome. The very expensive chocolate tempering machine, the proximity of the burners, ovens, and friers (all very close,) tons of freezer and cooler space, and a window that looks out on tenth avenue!!! I’m doing a tasting next week, but Jack invited me down to work on Sunday afternoon, they’re breaking down a whole pig to make sausage!! My interview at Genoa was a lot different. They were closed that day and the place was very quiet. I met with the chef, owner and wine director. They seemed very interseted in my command of classic technique, and my ability to maintain the time honored traditions of Genoa restaurant. After seeing the restaurant and kitchen, I don’t think this job is the right fit for me. The interview was a good experience, it really helped me contrast and compare and prioritize what I want from an employer. I mean, if I’m going to spend 60+ hours a week in a restaurant, everythings got to be just right. The perfect balance of buisness, personal, and environmental components (or -living/career/creative/ pastry/passion/kithcen/restaurant/people.)
