Friday, June 12, 2020

Episode #171 Do you want to play a game?

In today's episode we talk about Union 32, and a lot of random things

Sorry for how late the episode was this week. As Aaron mentioned in the intro, between going back to work unexpectedly, and having to deal with the theft of a catalytic converter on the day he usually edits the episode; this has been a week with little time to get podcast items done.

We hope you are all well, and being safe, and we hope that we as a people can move forward and overcome the obstacles that we're facing. Be well everyone.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Episode #170 The Social Distancing Social Half-Hour of Socialness. Social. 

In today's episode we talk about our lives in lock down
We'll also get into making pizza from scratch
Finally, we taste a Keepsake Cider and a Fair State Co-op Heckin' Chonker


Per Andrea's request, here is the link to the pizza dough recipe that Aaron has been using. The only recommendation we have for you is to use a pizza stone when baking, use low moisture mozzarella and fresh toppings that you enjoy (Aaron has been using pre-sliced pepperoni for the most part, but every now and again he's been using fresh salami or soppressata). Feel free to experiment with fresh veggies and meats on your own pizza.

Also, if you want to make your own pizza at home, you can check out the series Making Perfect on the Bon Appetit YouTube channel. The link goes to the first in a 7 episode series on making the "perfect" pizza. Aaron doesn't completely agree with everything that they conclude in the show, but it's a great primer on making a great pizza from scratch.

If you're looking to make your own pasta and pasta sauces from scratch, I recommend you start with Basics with Babish, as he has a great set of primers on many topics, but Aaron uses the sauces and pasta episodes as references when making food.

Check out pizzatoday.com for recipes and just to drool over all the food you can imagine.

As with our very early episode on pizza, we'll send you to check out https://www.pizzanpasta.com/ to see if they're near you (this is the business that Aaron grew up in, and where he worked for 7 seasons).

Here is the recipe for the Ghost Pepper Glaze that Andrea sent to Aaron during the recording.



Completely aside from the normal notes on the episode, we want everyone to know that we hope you're safe. This year just keeps getting worse, and the issues coming up from the death of George Floyd aren't new. We want the healing of our nation and our world to begin, and we know that nothing will bring the victims back; but for those of us that are left, we just want to see real and actionable change to occur and justice to be served.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Episode #169 WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

In today's episode we talk about the projects and hobbies that are sustaining us as lock down continues

Aaron has been working on various projects around his home while off work due to Covid-19, and would like to share the following photos of before and after some of them:


We hope that you're finding time for your hobbies, or starting new projects in your own lives. Please share your projects with us! Send photos or a link to a blog at fans@travelbyproxy.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Episode #168 Date night in partial isolation

In today's episode we talk about ways to make date night with your live-in significant other special during this time of partial lock down

We'll be picking this topic back up next week, but as mentioned in the episode: check out the links below

Bon Appetit "Improved Box Macaroni & Cheese" video. Carla makes the popcorn that we talked about starting at the 13:00 mark, but you really should watch the whole video.

As for the photo comparing Jaskier and the Rooster bard from the animated Robin Hood:

Have a great week, be safe, and let us know what you're doing to keep entertained while partial lock down is winding down.

Photo credit to the original creators. We're just posting it as found.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Episode #167 Life in partial isolation

Aka: the sweatpants and comics conversation

In today's episode we talk about life in Corona times
We'll also get into how Aaron feels about wearing sweatpants in public, and our favorite childhood comics
We also taste some Irish Whisky and a weird concoction that Andrea doesn't really like

We hope you enjoyed this episode, and that you're all doing well in your own partial isolation.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Episode #166 In Memorial

In today's episode we talk about places we have lost during the Covid-19 lockdown
We'll also get into places that are adapting to survive in these crazy times

We're obviously not able to bring y'all our normal type of content during this time of lockdown and social distancing. But we wanted to talk about places that we will never be able to go to again.

Stay safe, and let us know if you have anything you want us to cover or want to discuss any place that you loved that is shutting down due to this crisis. 

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Episode #165 Social Distance Social Episode

In today's episode we talk about what we're doing during quarantine 2020

We're all finding ways to keep our minds occupied during this time, and for The Best Mayhem it has been a lot of World of Warcraft, some Whiskey, Wine, and lots of water. Aaron has been building things and gaming in COD:Warzone.

Below are some photos of Andrea's special mount in WoW, and Aaron's garage projects. Please enjoy, and share with us what you've been doing to keep your mind occupied in this time.






Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Episode #164 Staying at home and Escape Rooms

In today's episode we talk about Escape Rooms and how to experience them while staying at home during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis

We have several special guests with us this episode, Alex S., Erin O., and Justin R.

We talked about a lot while recording this episode, so below are several links to the companies and items we discussed:

The Escape Game has several options during this shutdown, such as two digital games called Unlocked, special online Field Trips, a board game based on the Prison Break Escape Game, and the Monthly Mystery.

Trapped Puzzle Rooms have their Mystery Night Box, which is a physical box that you would pick up at a location, and return after playing; and they also have 2 Audio Escape Adventures which you play with your team over discord.

We hope you're all staying safe, and finding ways to enjoy yourselves in this strange time, and we want to hear how you're all dealing with quarantine.

Please leave us a comment on our Facebook Page, or send us an email to fans@travelbyproxy.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Episode #163 The Dubliner

In today's episode we talk about The Dubliner in Saint Paul, MN
Taste some Whiskeys
Finally, we discuss some history of the oral tradition

This is the last of the places we visited at the end of February on our impromptu brewery crawl. While this is not a brewery, it is a great place to visit and enjoy (in more normal times) good food and drinks, Irish dancing, live music, and Pub Sings.

The Dubliner remains closed while the stay at home order was extended to May 4th here in MN, and we're hoping that they can re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.

We hope you're all doing well in this trying time of quarantine, and that you're doing your part in staying put and limiting your interaction with others. Stay safe everyone, we're all in this together.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Episode #160
We spend some time talking about our favorite memories regarding Sody Pop.
Please note that this was recorded prior to everything shutting down due to the Corona Virus pandemic, and we will have one more episode coming out that was recorded in the same time frame. We are adhering to the requests and requirements for Social Distancing, but will continue to provide content each week, albeit we will be recording them remotely.
Stay safe, and please know that you're all amazing, and we'll get through this. - Aaron

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Episode #159 Blue Sun Soda


In today's episode Andrea sits down with Mark Lazarchic, the owner of Blue Sun Soda 
We taste two of the options that Blue Sun make
Finally, we discuss the soda fountain and the pinball league

We would like to thank Mark for sitting down for an interview with Andrea, and for opening up about how it all came to be

The State Fair Chocolate Chip Cookies soda is incredible and really does taste just like baked cookies.

The Blue Cheese Dressing Soda, well, it really does taste like Blue Cheese Dressing with cane sugar. It's... interesting, but in the best way.

We really do suggest that you give the selection a shot, and you can contact them to see if their wares are available near you.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Episode #158 Bang Brewing

In today's episode we explore Bang Brewing in Saint Paul, MN 
Taste a few of their beers
And learn about their commitment to sustainable brewing



We wanted to share the photo that Andrea took of the mounted comparison of the Kernza plant next to a more common Wheat stalk:


The articles we mentioned aren't the only reading on the topic, but there are plentiful links available within them:

National Geographic article (may require signing in or providing an email address)

Star Tribune article that we also discussed

The Land Institute website with other resources to learn about Kernza

More from The Land Institute about beer being brewed from Kernza

We really enjoyed our time at Bang Brewing, and we think you should head over for a visit if you have the opportunity.

Please let us know if we were wrong about anything we were discussing, send us a message at fans@travelbyproxy.com and help us learn more about the topics we cover!

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Episode #157 Cheap Eats

In today's episode we talk about the foods that are convenient for everyday noshing
We'll taste some Shamrock Shakes and Coke Zero
Finally, we discuss our favorite guilty pleasures in Fast Food

The Shamrock Shake is a wonderful mainstay of spring for us, it's a mint flavored shake and it's limited in time every year, which makes it all the sweeter for the anticipation.

This episode is very heavy in breakfast foods, so if you would like to hear our take on more lunch/dinner options, please let us know by sending us a message at fans@travelbyproxy.com


Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Episode #156: Adulting at Disney, aka the one where Aaron can't remember lots of words

In today's episode we talk about being Child-free Adults at and around Disney and its resorts

We'll also taste an experimental concoction of our own design, as well as a scotch and soda

Finally, we discuss how important walking speed is when walking around parks

Right off the bat: Aaron was trying to say Single Malt Scotch, rather than small/single batch. (Not sure why I couldn't manage to remember simple words).

The shot that we were thinking of is a Cement Mixer, which is actually Baileys and Lime juice, not pickle juice.

The pattern on the chairs that Aaron was trying to describe is Madras, not Chambray (which is a fabric, not a pattern).

Thanks for listening to us butcher words into new shapes, and if you have questions about our ADD/ADHD brains, please send them to fans@travelbyproxy.com

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Episode #155 Sweets from Manila and Japan Redux. AKA Crinklefest 2020

In today's episode we taste sweets from Manila and Norita
We'll also drink some sake
Finally, we have to open all the plastic packaging, and you get to hear that all crinkling for about 30 minutes!


Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Episode #154 The Slanted Door, San Francisco, CA

In today's episode we talk about The Slanted Door in San Francisco, CA
We'll taste some tea
Finally, we discuss the history of The Slanted Door

Aaron was so excited to sit down and remember his experience at The Slanted Door, as it has really stuck with him over the years. If you're looking to splurge while in San Francisco, we highly recommend indulging your palate at The Slanted Door. The Prix Fixe options for lunch are very reasonably priced, and will give you a great variety of what they have to offer.

The Slanted door is located in the Ferry Building, which is home to a wide variety of shops and purveyors of fine foods. We highly recommend that you check it out.

We do have a correction about the James Beard Awards: There are more categories than we were aware of at time of recording, so while each category only has one winner per year, there is more than one award to be issued each year. Just wanted to clarify and correct our mistake there!

Looks like Twinings tea is pronounced with a long I at the beginning, so Andrea was right.

And we have found this video of a blooming tea brewing, and it's pretty awesome.

For those of you who want the full video experience of the Laffing Sal, please click this link.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Episode #153 Vacation Rentals - Muskie River Lodge - Tomahawk, WI

In today's episode we talk about a rustic converted bar and breakfast in Tomahawk, WI
Taste a beer by O'so Brewing
Finally, we offer some tips on vacation rentals

If you want to learn more about Airbnb or VRBO, please check out those links for their respective websites. You can search by location, price, duration of stay, and a few other options to really refine what you want to get out of your vacation.


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Episode #152 The Local

In today's episode we talk about The Local in Minneapolis, MN
Taste a Travel by Proxy original cocktail
Finally, we discuss Irish pubs in America, and why we love them

We made "the Tangy" using equal parts of Mezcal and Cinnamon Whisky (in this case Fireball, as it's what we had on hand)

From our (admittedly limited) searching, we haven't found anything else that has this recipe, so we're happy to hear if you've heard about anything that we've missed.

We hope you enjoyed this episode, and wish you all
the best in the year to come!

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Episode #151 The Executive Surf Club, Corpus Christi, TX

In today's episode we talk about the Executive Surf Club in Corpus Christi, TX
We'll taste a Shiner Bock
Finally, we discuss the Gulf Coast

If you want an answer to the Session Ale question, please look here.

Thank you for spending another potion of your day with us, and we hope you have a great day.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Episode #150 The 50th Episode Spectacular!!


CW: there is a bell that is rung very frequently in this episode, so be warned if you have any issues with constant ringing bells.

In today's episode we talk about 49* memories (we really didn't keep a solid count, but it's a lot) from the first year of our podcast

We taste a gin and tonic with Chase Gin, from the UK

Finally, we discuss pretty much everything that we've experienced over the last year

We want to thank you for making our podcast a part of your lives over the last year, and we hope to continue to bring happiness to your lives in the years to come. Thank you for following us on this journey.

Best wishes for another wonderful year!

Andrea and Aaron.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Episode #149 Stacked Deck Brewing

In today's episode we explore Stacked Deck Brewing in Saint Paul, MN 
Taste some of their delicious beer
Finally, we discuss the turnover in Saint Paul Breweries

Right off the bat, 23 Skidoo means to "go away," "scram," or otherwise leave. I feel Skedaddle is better at conveying that notion, but 1920's slang was never perfect.

Not too much for notes this episode, but please do check out our teespring store and help support the content you enjoy so much!

Thank you as always for listening, and we hope that 2020 is going to be an amazing year for everyone!