This weekend, I went out for breakfast at a local place called Lazy Jane’s Café and Bakery. This place is famous for it’s scones, and I can attest that they make the second best scones in town (after Masako’s, naturally).Lazy Janes is one of those places where you stand in line, order your food, give them your name, and then go sit until they call your name to tell your food is ready.Often, whenever I am asked for my name in a situation like this I give my last name, which tends to cause much less confusion and anxiety and clumsy name-mangling than “Padraig.” But I learned a nice trick that makes my, and pretty much everyone else’s, day. I give my name as “His Majesty.”Usually, everyone gets a big kick out of it, and I get to walk slowly and regally to pick up my food.

Gina invited me to be the foodie collaborative’s resident drink specialist. After deciding that her invitation was a compliment and not an “intervention,” I happily agreed. My first drink that I can remember was a sip of my dad’s scotch and soda, when I was about seven years old. I didn’t like the taste, but I loved the smell. Now, a scotch and soda is one of my standby’s. I enjoy pretty much all the major categories of booze (beer, wine, spirits) and will try to share some thoughts about each, from time to time.I cook too, so I may offer up some recipes and the like every once in a while.