Test from treo

Let's see how it posts.

Uh, works GOOD.

Yawn..

... just not much going on around old San Antone' this time of year. How's things in your town.

I know it's too much to even ask, but these are great.

Multi-tasking overload

Re: Cary Clack “Through practice you, too, can signal,” Saturday.

I'm disappointed with Mr. Clack's narrow attitude about vehicle drivers in San Antonio. He thinks that people ought to use signals when turning or changing lanes.

Cary, the people of San Antonio would need arms like an octopus to do all the things you want them to do. Their hands are already occupied with cell phones, CD players, laptop computers, makeup kits, sandwiches, weapons and the like.

Please keep in mind that local drivers also must be prepared to give the middle-finger salute to their fellow drivers at a moment's notice, which occupies yet another hand. And don't forget that one of their hands might actually be on the steering wheel. That doesn't leave anything free to operate the turn signal.

Please, Cary, be reasonable and cut the drivers of San Antonio a little slack. After all, they've only got two hands.

Donald A. Smith

Here's the editorial by Cary Clack

Cary Clack: Through practice you, too, can signal

Web Posted: 03/28/2008 11:08 AM CDT

San Antonio Express-News
Before turning to the text for the day, let's take a moment, with solemn remembrance and watering mouths, to note last week's passing of two cultural and culinary giants. Herb Peterson, inventor of the Egg McMuffin, died at the age of 89 while Al Copeland, who started the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuit restaurant chain, left us at the age of 64. With hearts heavy, although not as thick and heavy as our waistlines, and with numerous memories, although not nearly as many as our soaring cholesterol count, we say to both of these gentlemen, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Especially to Mr. Copeland for the genius of his spicy chicken, buttermilk biscuits, red beans and rice and freeways.
Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to signal that I was changing lanes from chicken to driving and your brain just ran into that last sentence, and that veers us into a subject a few drivers around town aren't familiar with: turn signals.

Unbeknownst to these drivers, one recent night while they slept, automakers created this hot and innovative new gadget called the turn signal. Silly, utopian dreamers that they are, they believed that with thousands of fast-moving heavy vehicles filling streets and freeways, it might be a wise idea to have a device that allows the driver to SIGNAL to other drivers BEFORE HE CHANGES LANES that he is going to CHANGE LANES in a FEW SECONDS so that he won't cause an ACCIDENT and HURT SOMEBODY.

These wild gadgets, these TURN SIGNALS, are usually located near the steering wheel and simply requires a quick and easy up and down movement. It's really not hard to activate the turn signals, and you don't have to train for the task by doing extra push-ups or adding creatine to your protein shakes.

However, if as I suspect from daily observation, some of you aren't familiar with the turn signal and didn't know you had it, it may be a little rusty from lack of use and require a little WD-40.

Don't be afraid to use your turn signal. You're not charged each time you use it, and don't feel as if you're working it too hard. It wants to be used. The turn signal is your friend. Even better, the turn signal is the friend of the drivers behind and in front of you.

You see, you may know where you're going when you're hauling tail on 281, but those of us behind you don't. Which is why you need to give us a FEW SECONDS by USING your TURN SIGNALS and making sure we know that you intend to SWITCH LANES. Because such is the sad state of American science and technology that while we can put turn signals in cars we've yet to develop the ability to allow drivers to read each other's minds.

Now, there is one defect with turn signals. And that's when you suddenly switch lanes without warning and don't turn your signal on until you're three-quarters of the way into the other lane, your turn signal doesn't possess the capacity to release an invisible force shield that will release air to gently push back the car behind you that's about to run into you because you didn't use your turn signal in time.

Yet another failure of American science and technology.

That's why when using your turn signals and, especially when you're not using them, it's always good to use that thingamajig called the REARVIEW MIRROR. It's a bit old school but has proven its effectiveness.

So on this lazy Sunday pay tribute to Herb and Al with an Egg McMuffin in the morning and a three-piece with fries in the afternoon. And when you turn into those establishments, give drivers behind you plenty of time to know that's where you're turning.

Cary Clack's columns appear on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To leave him a message, call (210) 250-3546 or e-mail at cclack@express-news.net.

Dough!

We ate at Dough last Thursday, at the Chef's table, and ate what I believe was my first pizza. I don't know what the round disks of dough smothered in tomato sauce and cheeze I ate before were, but they weren't like this. Also the best salad (Tuscan) I've ever eaten in my life. And a bottle of Pellegrino. I don't drink wine anymore, but if I did, that's the place where I would drink it.

It's a fantastic place, please try it out.

Let's Dance

The Baylor Bears are in the tournament.

The Baylor men's basketball team earned their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1988. The Bears secured a No. 11 seed in the West regional in what will be the university's fifth tournament appearance.

The Bears will face No. 6 Purdue on Thursday, March 20 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. Should they win, Baylor would face the winner of the No. 3 Xavier and No. 14 Georgia matchup on Saturday, March 22 at the same venue.

Bin 555

Bin 555's website is under construction so there's not much there but their address and a few pictures of their incredible food, but take it from an eye/mouth witness: Incredible. They serve tapa style plates at very reasonable prices and they just keep getting better as the meal progresses. Here's a rundown by memory so if something looks funny it's my brain misremembering like Roger's pal:

Serrano ham wrapped dates w/blue cheese
baba ganoush
field green salad w/ candied pecans, goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette
zucchini/squash w/mint
Milanese asparagus spears topped with a fried egg (! Yes!) and either parmesan or peccorino cheese
Salmon over a tomato compote with chorizo
Braised pork belly on lavender compote and parsnip puree (OUR FAVORITE, HANDS DOWN)
Spanish almond cake
Dark chocolate tort
French pressed coffee

I woke up remembering it. We sat near a window that overlooked their extensive wooden deck and outdoor fireplace and some of the shops of Artisan Alley. They have an extensive wine list, full bar, and are expert at pairing wines with dishes.

One of those places we wasted far too long getting to. The staff was as good as the food.

May 22

Oh, and a bunch of people got married at the Arneson River Theatre on Valentine's Day.

Happy Prez' Day.