Post #343507 by midnite on Mon, Nov 12, 2007 2:16 PM

BOSTON '07

As the season turns from Summer's sweat on the melon to Autumn's frost on the pumpkin, travel plans take a backseat to other priorities. Still, a ramblin' man has to ramble just a wee bit. So, with that in mind let's head back to New England in search of good sandwiches and a taste of tiki. Like my days up North clubbing baby Harp Seals the trip was a bit hit and miss.

First off it was a brief stay in Boston, a city dear to my heart, but totally big diggin' to my stomach. Why? Well, Boston, in my addled mind, has some of the best food in the land. After too many hours on a red-eye to Logan the first thing I do is head to Hook...James Hook. Home of the best retail/wholesale lobster trade in town and makers of a very respectable Lobster Roll. Yes, some tasty Hook fare was on the menu for breakfast. It ain't a club, but it is a lobster roll. Not to be outdone in the "you must eat here" genre, Turner Fisheries clam chowder was a pre-lunch treat. My cholesterol level was nearing "pudding" so I opted against the cheesecake trifecta for dessert. Next time I'll do a couple of Jumping Jacks and will be good to go.

The too brief stop in Bean Town was followed by a few days out in Central Mass for some good old American pigskin fun. My boys were playing ball, and this time (one time ever, actually) they were on opposing sides. I couldn't lose, it was a special uncle midnite day to see a two of my nephews lace 'em up and battle it out. Massachusetts was beautiful this time of year and I was quite fortunate to catch the Fall colors in all their splendor. Unfortunately, a side trip to Kowloon was not in the offing and since nearby Worcester's tiki landscape is now barren it looked pretty grim tiki-wise for this trip. My tiki cocktail-loving nephew Richard took it upon himself to mix up some homemade Mai-Tais. The effort was commendable but when working with fewer than the recommended ingredients the results can be a mixed bag.

With that in mind how about some recent Bay Area tiki fun with a twist on the usual travel theme? Team midnite, after a too long absence, made a happy return to Forbidden Island in order to welcome a UK TC'er for his first-time visit to the mysterious Isle de Alameda. Yes, Tikiracer made it all the way from the UK (via So Cal) to take in some Bay Area tiki fun. It was all hands on deck to make sure he was given the full treatment. No, those are not all Steve's cocktails either, the water was mine. This would be a memorable, and firey, Wednesday at Forbidden Island. A fine, mixed by Martiki himself, Ohana Hut mystery bowl (warm, too) was presented and good times were had by all. It was great to see Steve on this side of the world, his cheerful presence was enjoyed by all (and that's not just because he came bearing gifts).

It was good clean fun, until Mai Tai broke out the straws.

As a bit of historical reference examine the photo of Red Buttons, award-winning comedic actor and early participant/proponent of long-distance straw drinking:

While not a fully sanctioned sport, it does have its committed followers (some would say groupies even) and one of its stars is our own Mai "NAFTA McButterpants" Tai. Bill wowed us all with a stunning display of sucking acumen. Do peruse the collage of his suctioning skill. Mai Tai put on a show. The straw tally increased, two...four...more!...ending in an other-wordly eight straw suck-tacular that had many gasping in horror. Or awe, not sure really. It was messy, and a bit disturbing, but it was nothing if not captivating. So much so that many joined in on the fun, even Tikiracer himself had to show what the British Empire could still offer, sucking-wise.

Good times, good times...and it was only the pre-Crawl warm up night. The year is coming to a close and the holidays beckon. Soon, we'll be following the bright star to seek out what could be the greatest "midnite" tiki/club sandwich experience of all.

Quicksand!
midnite