Wow, this blog is a hotbed of family conversation....I love it. This is the first opportunity I've had to post on that amazing Mastandrea Convergence on Spumoni South last week. Thank you to Joe, Ellie and John for sharing your time, energy and love...we truly thrive on it down here. As expected the laughter was the only thing more plentiful than the food...and I can't wait until we get to do it again. I knew the visit was going perfect when I found myself at Palm Beach International Airport holding a sign reading "OTTO ARENA". I want to extend special thanks to Ellie for accepting our family so wholeheartedly...its wonderful to have you a part of it. You gave an olympic worthy performance at the stove, and more importantly at the table. You know we forget how difficult the first time at the Mastandrea dinner table can be for the uninitiated: trying to eat and keep track of all fourteen conversations occurring simultaneously while "Love Shack" plays at top volume...but Ellie was one of us. Anyway, It was my pleasure to care for Tarka, not only did I adore her company I'm pretty sure her presence increased sales at the store by about 20% that day. I'd like to thank Joe and John for taking the Vin-man and visiting me at the store, I know it was a bit hectic and hard to talk, but it really meant a lot to me. I have friends in Jupiter who have never bothered to see the little dog and pony show I call Blackouts Inc....your thoughtfulness seems to have no limits. I was kinda thinking to myself as we watched Clearwater Aquarium video, "What Would Vito say?" as he watched us tamper with the exhibits, mock the aquarium staff...and then refer to the place as a sewage plant with fish? I think he'd say "you wanna see shit-hole full of filthy animals? Come to my job..." Anyway, I gotta get my silly-ass on the road. To those in NY and Connecticut enjoy the snow today....its about 80 here today.