Coke Cola in T-n-T

   Kids let me tell of the days when Coke Cola was sold in glass bottles. It is true Coke was sold in glass bottles and not just Coke all brands of soda was sold in glass bottles. It tasted so different then it does today.

   One time that I had a Coke in a glass bottle was in the country of Trinidad and Tobago in the town of Sangre Grande. (I am often corrected on how to pronounce the name of that town so I look up the correct spelling) I was there with friends we went to the market to get food for that week that we would be staying there. As the other two shopped I went out to look around.
   I walked up the street with people bustling every where for a town like this. Near the middle of town there is the a blue building (that you can see from Google earth) I turned from there up another street where I see people crowed around a porch umbrella two people quickly putting something together and rapping it in paper so fast you can barley see what they where doing. The quick glace that I got it look like a fried egg yoke so I thought I would get two. I said I would like two and the person asks would you like pepper on that and I said sure.

   What I got what is called Doubles a common street food. *It is a sandwich made with two bara (flat fried bread) filled with channa(curried chick peas). Topped with mango, shadon beni, cucumber, coconut, tamarind, and extra pepper sauce (ranging from a dash "slight" to much more), this delicacy is the most popular fast food in Trinidad and Tobago. It is usually eaten for breakfast, and sometimes lunch, but can be a late night snack as well.

So as I went back to sit out side the market and try this new food. I saw something that I have not see in years just glossing it the cooler. A one liter Coke in a glass bottle so I bought one of those it cost 2ttd the currency in Trinidad. I find out later was just under a dollar at that time.

So I got to the market sat on the wall outside in the sun and had my doubles and Coke. It does not get any better than that.

*found on Wikipedia information my vary on personel opinion.  

Diversity

I was just at a IHOP in Takoma Park MD. and it just came to me about how wonderful of moment this is. I entered the restaurant and was greeted with a big smile from the server Vanessa she first sat me at a table but later gave that up to a family with two little kids, but they moved to a booth. But I had a good view of the New Hampshire Ave. and of the dinning area.

Than it came to me how great this moment is, I could have look down on it that I am eating alone. But I looked up and look around the dinning area and saw there was some one from almost every culture in the world was there. To me that is the most beautiful thing every one enjoying their food and conversation and me taking in the moment.

Later Ms Vanessa told me that this was a inspection day and the cooks where trying to get every thing right. I don't know if the was the fact of the enviroment but I would like to think that it was because of the sweet diversity.  

My first date with Kenny Rogers

I think I was about 13 or 14 I had my first date, it was with a girl name Michelle I was told she had a twin but was not sure of that. Meet her through another guy in my neighborhood at that time I lived in Davenport she lived in Bettendorf just up the road from Duck Creek Plaza where the theater was. It was there we saw Kenny Rogers in Six Pack.

This was Kenny Rogers from the 80's not the little beady eye sing you see today.

Not much of not came of that date other than the movie. Just being nostalgic for 80's these day and wanted to add a story behind seeing that movie.   

Aretha Franklin

My first time meeting Ms Franklin was in passing through the green room of the Warner Theater in Washington DC and in passing she asked "are those spring rolls" on the table next to me.

The best interaction with Ms Franklin was rehearsing for the BET Honors that was where I got to meet her more personal level. I told her that I enjoyed her rehearsal she asked me my name I said Thomas. I know if show would have started a conversation I know I would have been a blubbering mess. What sight that would have been a 46 year old man crying like a baby. I can only imagine what effect she had on those entertainers and singers that have fallow in her foot steps.

That was one of my best experiences.