Happy Valentine’s Day to all the Amigas that I would have Loved to have Loved.  What can I say, Women and Tequila are both very close to my heart, “these are a few of my favorite things.”   Today was a very incredible Valentine’s Day for MY BAD TEQUILA as first thing this morning I got some loving if you know what I mean and then came more material presents: a DVD of the movie “Catch 22” that was the cinematic adaptation of the novel by Joseph Heller, an anti-war satire of World War II that was filmed at one of my favorite places in all of the great country of Mexico.  “Catch 22” with an all star cast that included Orson Welles, Richard Benjamin, Alan Arkin, Anthony Perkins, Arthur Garfunkel, Norman Feller, Martin Sheen, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Jon Voight and Paula Prentiss was shot on location in San Carlos, Sonora on the Playa Blanca of the Sea of Cortez with Tetakawi Mountain in the backdrop.  The movie was made in 1970 and the white cotton beach is completely virgin at the time of filming.  It looks much different today as there have been many additions such as an Old Club Med that is now a huge hotel and many other multistory hotels, cafes and bars on the fun beach.  The movie set and location was made to look as if filmed on the Mediterranean Sea in 1944.  This movie can out before Mash was ever a hit.  “Catch 22” and San Carlos are both coincidentally mentioned in my upcoming novel “My Bad Tequila.”

Well back to Valentine’s Day and gifts:  I also received a special 3CD edition of “Route 66, Hit the Road with Songs to Drive by.”  There are some great hits including “Tequila” by The Champs, “Wild Thing” by The Troggs, “La Bamba” by Trini Lopez, “When a Man Loves a Woman” very fitting for Valentine’s Day,  performed by Percy Sledge. And many, many other cool songs.   Can’t wait for my road trip to Los Angeles and San Diego, California this next week.   Given a card with Elvis singing a verse of  “I’m all shook up,” M&M peanut candy and 2 bags of microwaveable popcorn to help get me through “Catch 22.”   Just so you know, this Valentine’s Day was not one-sided.  I contributed to the Hallmark celebration and cause by purchasing 1 dozen of long stemmed pink roses and a single chocolate covered brownie of which I ate half.  The flowers, I must say were a hit and they do smell wonderful on this sunny Scottsdale, Arizona day.  I was going to give the history of Valentine’s Day; however there are many other things of which I need to write, so perhaps next year a history lesson on St. Valentine.  Oh and two other things that made today special, it is my Amigo Kurt P. day of birth and Mi Esposa and Yo received an acceptance on a house of which we made an offer.   Very cool, I’m smiling from ear to ear.

Moving onto the 2010 Winter Olympics in the gorgeous area of British Columbia, Canada and Whistler Ski Resort, there is both bad news and good news.  Luge racer and republic of Georgia countryman Nodar Kumaritashvili RIP was on a practice run, reaching speeds of up to 90 mph and lost control of his sled and crashed to his death.  Very sad beginning to the Olympics, well wishes to his family.  Mr. Apollo Anton Ohno, one of the most recognizable current American Winter Olympians won a Silver Medal in the men’s 1500 meter event.  Ohno has become the most decorated U.S. male Winter Olympian and if he wins one more medal he will surpass Bonnie Blair in becoming the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history.  He has won medals in 2002, 2006 and now again in 2010.  Keep up the great work – Mr. Ohno of Seattle, Washington.

Today, I received sad news from London, United Kingdom that Dick Francis, a best selling British thriller writer and a former champion jockey had died in his home in the Cayman Islands at age 89.  Francis was a storied steeplechase jockey until retiring in 1957 of which he then began writing novels, a total of 42 great books.  Many of his stories featured racing horses as a theme.  He will be missed, thanks Mr. Dick Francis, RIP for the memories.

My great Amigo, Mr. Woody Nelson and the Nashville Ramblers are heading to stardom with a new single “Got it Made” from their new album “Singin’ The Booze.”  You can listen to this new single by going to:   www.A1ARadio.com     Wishing Woody and the Nashville Ramblers lots of great concert and fan success.

Tequila Time:  Another Rock and Roll Rocker is in the Tequila business.  Mr. Vince Neil, lead singer of Motley Crue has followed in the footsteps of the Red Rocker, Mr. Sammy Hagar (see Cabo Wabo Tequila) by investing in his own Tequila – Tres Rios Tequila.  Tonight we will discuss the Anejo that is aged to perfection after eighteen months in charred wooden barrels.  This Tequila displays a deep intense caramel color that embodies its complexity.  The unmistakable taste of sweet vanilla and smoke imparted by the ageing enhances the original fruit.  The result of this exclusive technique is a complex taste, balance and character that form a symphony for the taste buds.  Mr. Neil, great Anejo Tequila and we love Motley Crue.  By the way, Artie the One Man Party, our own CPO (Chief Party Officer) was the one that turned MY BAD TEQUILA onto this delicious and tasty Tequila.  Gracias Artie, we eagerly wait  for your return from Puerto Vallarta with the Smokin’ Hot Mrs. Artie.