Mexican Food World Cookoff

This looks awesome and I would love to be there, however, I have open house.  I need somebody to go check out the cook-off and tell me all about it.  I heard about it yesterday on the KLAQ morning show.  Here are the details:

• Sunday August 2nd @ Wet n’ Wild

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS	EL PASO AREA CHAMPIONSHIPS	WORLD CHEF CHAMPIONSHIPS	SERVING
L&J Cafe The Riviera Forti’s Mexican Elder	Red Rooster Cafe Delicious Mexican Eatery Gil’s Mexican Food	Martin Dotson (Doubletree’s Fire) Raul Gonzales III (Rulis International Kitchen) Billy Means (Mesa St. Bar & Grill)	Martin Dotson (Doubletree’s Fire) Raul Gonzales III (Rulis International Kitchen) Billy Means (Mesa St. Bar & Grill)

Buy discount tickets for $15 and that includes a $2 food coupon.  You can purchase them at L&J Cafe, Gil’s Mexican Food, Delicious Mexican Eatery, Hudson’s Grill, Mulligan’s North Bar & Grill, Leo’s Mexican Food, La Terraza Mexican Food.

The competition features four categories:  Enchiladas, Tacos, Fajitas, Open Meat

It gets better folks.  In addition to the cook-off, there will also be the 3rd Annual Battle of the Rock N Roll Mariachis.

I want pictures and video!

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

El Paso getting wiki with it

Just like Will Smith, I want El Paso to get wiki with it.  How many of you guys know what a wiki is?  Well. according to Wikipedia, a wiki is, “a websitethat uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked Web pages, using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor, within the browser. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites“

You may be wondering what this has to do with El Paso and I am here to tell you.  I thought it would be great for there to be a site all about El Paso from those who know El Paso best…YOU GUYS!  That is why I created the livingelpaso.wikispot.org site.  Now it is in its infancy and doesn’t have anything up there yet, but don’t get discouraged.  This will be a collaborative work and I am really striving for factual information and positive information, although if there is something you hate, it can stay on the wiki as long as it sticks to the facts.   This wiki’s main goal is to support and promote all that is El Paso.

Here is an example of a page for Toronto.

 

This will be a fun project and won’t be done overnight.  I hope for this site to be constantly transforming because our city is constantly transforming.

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

Stay cool under the canopy

So I was taking care of some business downtown yesterday and I walked from City Hall  over to the Chase Building.  As I was walking past the library/history museum, I saw so many people waiting for the buses and fighting the heat…even under the canopies.

I would like to propose that the city put up misters around the canopies to keep people cool who have to wait for transportation.  I’m not sure what the cost would be, but it would be a nice gesture.  I know there is a new terminal going in downtown, but that doesn’t mean they can’t put up a temporary solution right now.

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

Taco Tote, Harry Potter, & Meat Loaf

I love that combination, especially on a weekend.  Yes, I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I plan on visiting the theme park when it opens in Florida.  Not sure if I enjoy HP because I see it as an escape from reality or for its imaginative brilliance. 

As far as the Tote goes, you can’t beat it when you are craving cucumbers and fajitas.  One of my friends, JC, introduced me to the Pork Abodado (think that is how you spell it)  and I have loved it ever since.  A Tote pack for two it was and I enjoyed every bite..mind you I didn’t eat the whole meal, I shared it with the fiance. 

To finish off a nice weekend, I went to the grocery store last night.  My sister had mentioned that Albertsons has an already prepared meat loaf that is pretty good.  As I was going towards the deli, I came across a meat loaf with my name on it.  I bought it and I loved it.  For six bucks, this piece of meat was great.  It serves six and has a nice flavor and while it might not be what mom used to make, it gets the job done; thanks Ash.

After a great and productive weekend, I am ready for a new week.  I hope everyone has a great Monday.  It’s been a while since I uploaded pictures of the new federal courthouse but I was told last time that if I took more pictures, I would have my camera confiscated.

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

If you want, listen to this song by Owl City…one of those songs that makes my head go back and forth slowly and my left foot tap up and down.

 

Any relation to the city?

I’m sure everybody has used Old El Paso products for their Mexican food.  I was wondering if Old El Paso started out here and then got acquired by General Mills or was it just some marketing idea from some guys up North?

By the way, I think I found the best green salsa available in El Paso.  It is called Herdez and I love it.

 

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

Quick note

A few people have asked why I write posts like I did yesterday more often than I write about hot dogs or Singapore Cafe.  The reason is not because I have nothing better to write about it, but because it is an issue that is very important to me and in my mind, to every El Pasoan. 

I don’t want people to forget that El Paso won’t become the great city it can become without everyone’s help.  Constant reminders keep this fresh in your mind and I will continue to write about this until I stop blogging because I think it is that important. 

Anyone up for a post about hot dogs tomorrow…haha…just kidding…sorta.

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

You could be happy…

Dear people,

It’s your good friend El Paso…just asking for a few minutes of your time.  While I was watching all of you enjoy your Sunday, I decided to sit down and watch one of the many TVs that populates my city limits.  I happened to drop in on my red head friend and he was watching that new show called The Incurable Optimist w/ Michael J. Fox.  Michael happened to be in Bhutan (one of my good country friends)  learning about the prime ministers goal of Gross National Happiness. 

Citizens, I remember a time when all of you were happy to be here and could never envision leaving.  Today is different time, I know you have aspirations and unfortunately, I can’t always meet those dreams…yet.  It is going to take many small steps for me to get back to where I once was and to where I want to be.  Really, it is going to take you, the citizens, to help me reach my full potential.  Fancy new buildings are nice, rapid transit is efficient, but more than anything, happiness is a must.  Without happiness, I (El Paso) will never be able to truly take that next step and neither will you.

Families are strong here, but many neighborhoods are not a cohesive unit, and the community as a whole has a long way to go to uniting as one.  We have character, a unique culture, interesting geography, and the ability to come together and achieve great milestones. 

Please don’t give up on me, but if you do, don’t forget about me.  I will always be here, transcending generations, waiting for that one special group of people who will help me realize my potential.

Living with one foot in the past and one foot in the future, your good friend,

El Paso.

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

Dr. Paul Numerof @ History Museum

If you love history or want to know more about the Manhattan Project, then you need to RSVP to El Paso Museum of History  so that you can hear the living words of Dr. Paul Numerof who helped work on the project.   The lecture will take place tomorrow, Saturday July 18th @ 2:00 p.m. 

There is no charge but you do have to RSVP by calling 915-351.3588. 

I would be there if I didn’t have work, so I hope somebody that reads this blog will attend so that they can give me and everyone else a synopsis of the lecture.

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

No electricity got me thinking

I woke up at 6:00 this morning to no electricity.   My usual routine is to eat some breakfast and then get on the computer to check the day’s news and update the blog.  Well, all of that was gone and the only thing I had to entertain me was a book (I love reading btw). 

So I sat down on the couch and tried to remember what life was like before cell phones, Internet, and everyday computer use.  I am 24 now, so back then I would have been in the single digits (because we are talking about pre Windows 95)  Being a little kid, you watch morning cartoons, play Legos/cars & trucks, and go outside and run around with friends.

However, in today’s world that eats, sleeps, and drinks electricity, we can’t survive…at least at  first.   In today’s world, it is very possible for some rogue element/country to do an EMP and knock out our electricity which would cripple us…so what would we do if that happened? 

Have you ever thought of life without electricity?  Plenty of people did without it a century ago, but today, everyone uses it. 

I know this post might have been extreme, but being without power for just 3 hours got me thinking about it and I realized how much I rely on electronics in my life.  I feel for people who are go through natural disasters and are without power for weeks and even months. 

 

My name is David and I am living El Paso.

Openness is good for everyone

I have never been able to see so far until I moved out here.  A few minutes of meditation while looking out towards the horizon can put the mind and body in sync.  Sometimes I use the natural sounds around me and other times I will put on the headphones.  When you find an area that can motivate, inspire, and cause reflection, you know a special place has been found.

To those who have not taken advantage of the gift that is available to you 24/7, I suggest you try it….it might just help you find the answer to that question you haven’t been able to answer for weeks, months, or years. 

We must realize that we are but a small piece of this place we call the world, but despite this, we have also been given the ability to influence, motivate, and inspire those around us in this city we call El Paso and this region we call Paso Del Norte.  Now, as we have seen, our decisions can be beneficial but can also be harmful.  The path we take as a city should not be decided by a few, but by many. 

Never think that just because you are one person that you don’t have the ability to make change for the better.  Words are a powerful tool than can lead to life changing decisions.  Look at what the Declaration of Independence did in being one of the first steps that led to the creation of the United States of America.  Merely words on a piece of paper led to what is now one of the most influential countries in the history of man kind.  How we use that influence is up to us, but the ability to do good is there. 

Does El Paso have a true road map of where it wants to go?  Have we really gotten together as a city and decided what path we want to take to ensure the success and well being of all current and future citizens? 

I can’t answer this question, because I truly don’t know.  If you want to join me, I will be watching the sunset this evening with my headphones on peering far into the horizon and deep into the soul.  

 

My name is David and I am living El Paso.