Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man

You have all no doubt heard the song. A timeless classic by ZZ Top, circa 1983. It's as true today as it was back then. Sure, fashion may have changed, but looking good will never be out of style.

Clean shirt, new shoes
And I don't know where I am going to
Silk suit, black tie
I don't need a reason why

You don't need a special occasion to dress up. I wear a shirt and tie to work every now and then and I've had people come up to me and say that I look 'dapper' and 'posh'. Even though the people are all guys, it's still nice to hear.

Gold watch, diamond ring
I ain't missin' not a single thing
Cuff-links, stick pin

When I step out I'm gonna do you in

I'm not sure if many people still rock the gold watch, aside from Donald Trump and cartel drug lords. I've got a silver coloured Eddie Bauer watch that suits me just fine. I've never been a fan of cuff-links, but maybe I'll see the appeal when I get older. For now, I'm going with the buttons that are already on the dress shirt.

Top coat, top hat
And I don't worry cause my wallets fat
Black shades, white gloves
Lookin' sharp, lookin' for love

I've never worn a top coat or a top hat. I suppose that I've never had the occassion to, such as at a polo match, a $2,000 a plate charity dinner, or a Governor's ball. Shades are nice. I've got a pair of Oakley's that I bought several years ago that I hardly ever wear now since they're not prescription. White gloves? I am not a butler and my name is not Jeeves.

Bœuf Bourguignon

For supper, Karen decided to make this recipe, taken from the most famous of all cookbooks, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Karen was definitely up for the challenge, after all, she did train at the most prestigious of all cooking schools, the Cordon Bleue in France.

With the list of ingredients in hand, we went out to Loblaws and picked up what was needed: bacon, stewing beef, red wine, mushrooms, small white onions, bay leaves, beef stock, and tomato paste.

Our next stop was the Dornan family homestead to pick up a casserole dish, and then back home to get started on the recipe.

The process went something like this:

1. Cook up 4 pieces of bacon in frying pan

2. Take bacon out of the pan

3. Brown stewing beef in frying pan with bacon fat

4. Put in casserole dish with the bacon, add flour and toss mixture

5. Put mixture in oven at 450 degrees for 4 minutes

6. Toss mixture and return to oven for another 4 minutes

7. Stir fry chopped carrots and onions

8. Take mixture out of oven

9. Add carrots, onions, beef broth, and red wine

10. Add tomato paste, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme

11. Put mixture in oven at 325 degrees for 3 hours

12. Brown whole baby onions in butter

13. Add beef stock, and let simmer for 40 minutes

14. Brown mushrooms in butter for 5 minutes

15. Take casserole out of oven

16. Separate liquid from mixture and skim excess fat off liquid

17. Mix everything back together and let simmer for 5 minutes

Bluesfest

Bluesfest in Ottawa has been happening since 1994. The first act to take the stage was Clarence Clemons (saxophonist for the E Street Band). Ever since then, Bluesfest has welcomed thousands of bands and musicians, from blues to rock, soul to pop, rap to country, and everything else in between.

My first time at Bluesfest was in 2001, and I've been going almost every year since. Here's a list of who I have seen at Bluesfest so far, by year:

2001 - James Brown, Matthew Good Band
2002 - The Tragically Hip
2004 - Bryan Adams, Blue Rodeo
2007 - The Steve Miller Band
2009 - The Yardbirds, Sam Roberts, Our Lady Peace

This year, a whole mess of good bands are coming to town: Arcade Fire, The B-52s, The Flaming Lips, Foghat, Gord Downie, Great Big Sea, The Gypsy Kings, The Lost Fingers, Iron Maiden, Joan Jett, Matthew Good, The Moody Blues, Roger Hodgson, RUSH, Santana, Weezer and many, many, many more. Even Kevin Costner put a band together and is coming to Bluesfest!

It's all happening July 6-18 at Lebreton Flats. Tickets go on sale tomorrow!

Long weekend

Friday

Tennis in the morning. Visit from Peter in the afternoon. Dinner with the Dornans in the evening. New couch (a big hit with everyone), new coffee table (a big hit with Nathan), new TV (which we couldn't turn on). Great dinner, my very own baked potato, with desserts provided by Tom.

Saturday

More tennis. A trip to Loblaws for goat's milk. Sushi for dinner. Rum and cokes and 'Atonement'.

Sunday

Trip to Orleans to visit the cats. Washed my car. Picnic in the afternoon with leftover sushi and little cans of Coke. Played some frisbee. More tennis.


Monday

Trip to Orleans. Cards with mom and Karen. Clean up time. Steak dinner. Guitar Hero into the night.