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I was reading my favorite travel magazine–Conde Nast Traveler–on the flight home from San Diego yesterday. One side-bar in particular caught my attention…some preparation notes from a famous restaurant in Montreal where the chef takes great pride in creating unique dishes using every part of the pig…and I mean EVERY part. Here are my three favorite preparations:

1. Head: “Saw top off skull; remove brains; rinse brains under cold running water for three hours. Poach brains. Boil head until meat leaves bone. Cut off ears; peel skin off tongue. Press ears for 12 hours, then dehydrate for 6 more in 100 degree oven. Use liquid to cook meatballs and beans. Fry in pork fat.meatballs and beans. Fry in pork fat. Serve tongue, head meat, and diced skin with meatballs, beans, and fried ears.”

2. Tail: “Cook, wrapped in caul fat, and stuff with foie gras.”

3. Brains: “Scramble with eggs into a dripping, creamy omelet.”

Mmmmmm, mmmmmmm, good! That’s good pig. (I had chicken for dinner last night.)

I’m pleased to say that an afternoon cat nap and a complimentary glass of wine at the Hilton HHonors evening reception cured my crankiness. Back to being Happy John 🙂

[Update: I’ve come to a sad realization. After I posted this entry, my headache returned, so I cried uncle and ran downstairs to the Hilton gift shop. I bought Excedrin and a Starbucks Doubleshot. One (or both) of these totally erased my headache. Hmmm, since I didn’t have a latte this morning (recall the forgotten wallet), can someone say caffeine withdrawal. Sigh, I hope not…I only have one silly latte in the morning…its one of my daily pleasures.

Also, James requested a happy photo to reflect my improved mood. I don’t have photos from St. Michaels on my laptop…so how about a Bay to Breakers pic with a Stranger getting goosed by another Stranger.]

Dateline: Mission Valley, San Diego…I have a splitting headache and am officially grumpy. This is in spite of good client meetings, refreshing drinks with friend Rob, and amazing Southern California weather. Unfortunately, I also left my wallet in the hotel this morning, so I haven’t eaten…room service is on the way. In the meantime…here is the lovely hill behind the Hilton.

What better way to ask your loyal readers’ forgiveness for slow posts than to send in my nephew Benjamin with his adorable smile. These shots are from the fantastic family weekend on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I’ve got some amazing shots (including a dramatic lightening show)…but you have to be patient…more business travel in the meantime 🙁

OK, well…after looking through my pictures and Jeff’s, I’ve decided that I like Jeff’s pics of Benjamin better. Anyway…Hi Ben 🙂

I got a couple of requests for pictures of jellyfish sans people. Unfortunately, I didn’t take too many of those, but I think these came out nicely.