Trying something new here. In making the most of our time in the US, I decided to sample some of the best American cuisine has to offer. a) Yay, I spelled cuisine right without spellcheck!
or b) Oops.
Choose whichever one applies.
Anyway, here are my thoughs on some of the best...yeah, I already said that.
1. Wendy's Asian chicken. If you're a friend on Facebook, you may have already seen my initial thought on the latest this restaurant has to offer in the way of fine dining. It's called sweet and spicy, and I found the first to be true, but not so much the second. Of course, much of Korean food I'm used to is hotter than Hades, so consider the source.
I was impressed at the portions, in that they were enough for just one person. I like this, since Beka and I realized "happy meal" is the ideal meal size for us when visiting the US. The toys are fun, too, but that's not the point. Gee whiz, America. Go on a diet. That's the point. Yeah.
2. Pizza Hut's pzones. Yummy, but tooooo muuuuch fooood. America, see previous statment about portion sizes and diets. I'm very dissappointed in you.
3. Energy drinks. Also known as "liquid crack," these beverages enjoy a lot of popularity and therefore intrigued me. I bought one, cracked it open, and tried a sip. The taste reminded me of carbonated lemon pledge. Somehow I finished it and vowed never to try it again.
A couple of weeks later, I tried it again. This time a different brand, but the taste was still quite distinctively that of dust cleaner. Maybe it was a different brand as well, but that didn't help my taste buds much.
Why would anyone drink something that tastes so horrible? I'm sticking to black coffee.
4. For the sake of argument (and keeping my job) let's say I tried Grape Juice. We were about to enjoy an excellent meal at an equally excellent Itallian restaurant and I thought, "Hey! I'll try me some Grape Juice." Of course, I was quick to point out to the waitress that I don't know one from the other, and having said that, I prepared to close my eyes and point to the menu.
She kindly stopped me and offered to let me tastes different brands of red and white Grape Juice until I decided what I wanted. The effect was having several glasses spread out in front of me, effectively making me look like a juice-o. Honestly, I took small sips. Fine, don't believe me. I'm so fired.
Anyway, my best choices seemed to be between two of the white Grape Juices, as the one red Grape Juice tasted like cough syrup. Unfortunately, I didn't have a cold, so I'm unable to report on its medicinal value. Maybe next time.
I decided to be a good boy in the end and choose the milder and sweeter of the two white Grape Juices. With the food, it wasn't bad.
Would I do it again? Not often, since I'm still a cheapskate. But as a rare treat, it did the trick.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
On Sarcasm
After the last post and some backtracking of previous posts, I realized a trend in my writing. When I need a handy book to mock, I always tend to pick one in particular. Mockery of it in particular is my comfort object, my tickle-me-Elmo if you will. I mean, there are plenty of awful books out there. Why this one?
I think the "poor, little defenseless white male" theme wins the prize. Even as I'm writing this, I'm supressing a giggle. But even if I do giggle, I'm okay with that.
Either that, or I'm snobbish enough to avoid reading a lot of crappy books. That's possible, too.
Either way, yes, I'm aware of the trend.
I think the "poor, little defenseless white male" theme wins the prize. Even as I'm writing this, I'm supressing a giggle. But even if I do giggle, I'm okay with that.
Either that, or I'm snobbish enough to avoid reading a lot of crappy books. That's possible, too.
Either way, yes, I'm aware of the trend.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Book Review: Catch 22
I recently wanted to read this novel once I heard it's supposed to be the funniest book written in the English language. Until now, the funniest satire I've read was either Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or Wild at Heart. Of course only the first one was intentionally funny, so I can't count the second. Still.
Catch 22's blurb was not an exaggeration. It uses satire, slapstick, verbal mahem, over the top bad behavior (including visiting prostitutes and such so yes that counts as a warning to sensitive readers)and even a Road Runner style chase scene. Yes, I said Road Runner. But even that is used to good effect, once you catch the theme.
Yossarian is either the only sane man in a group of lunatics, or the least crazy person, mostly due to the fact that he doesn't want to die. The book argues with a brilliant ripple-effect style that the world we live in is insane, and that much of it is our choice yet somehow out of our control. Or is it? If you don't like the way things are, you can walk away any time you want to. Only you can't. Can you?
This and Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver were extremely well-timed reads for me. PB helped me rethink cross-cultural teaching/ministry and how it should be done, while Catch 22 helps me think through why we (people) do anything at all. I don't want to give anything away just in case, but if you're taking a stand or asking why you even try the end (of C 22) can come in handy. It worked for me,anyway.
Of course, if you don't enjoy fiction you can skip this review entirely. Of course, you just read it so you really can't. Or can you?
Catch 22's blurb was not an exaggeration. It uses satire, slapstick, verbal mahem, over the top bad behavior (including visiting prostitutes and such so yes that counts as a warning to sensitive readers)and even a Road Runner style chase scene. Yes, I said Road Runner. But even that is used to good effect, once you catch the theme.
Yossarian is either the only sane man in a group of lunatics, or the least crazy person, mostly due to the fact that he doesn't want to die. The book argues with a brilliant ripple-effect style that the world we live in is insane, and that much of it is our choice yet somehow out of our control. Or is it? If you don't like the way things are, you can walk away any time you want to. Only you can't. Can you?
This and Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver were extremely well-timed reads for me. PB helped me rethink cross-cultural teaching/ministry and how it should be done, while Catch 22 helps me think through why we (people) do anything at all. I don't want to give anything away just in case, but if you're taking a stand or asking why you even try the end (of C 22) can come in handy. It worked for me,anyway.
Of course, if you don't enjoy fiction you can skip this review entirely. Of course, you just read it so you really can't. Or can you?
Monday, July 13, 2009
...and done (almost sort of kind of).
Ten stories done. Now I only have to get the last five on disk (yes, I talk like an old person using words like "disk") proofread all ten, then on to the shameless promotion. I'm hoping to make an effort to promote good fiction and short stories through the genre of comedy. So far I've got psychological and philosophical themes along with some of the weirdest stories I've done. I even managed to slip in some poop jokes for good measure.
If you haven't guessed by now, I'm excited.
And yes, there will be updates.
If you haven't guessed by now, I'm excited.
And yes, there will be updates.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Goings on and Stuffs
Saw Bolt and Push. Bolt was better than expected, good for some laughs. Push was awful, and almost made me lose respect for the "not yet" guy from Gladiator who was also good in Blood Diamond. Almost.
Saw a Felice Brothers concert, which was also my first real concert in six years or so, give or take a couple. It was high energy, which was good, until it got a little too high energy at the end. Still, how often can you say you saw someone breaking his washboard at a concert? It was also interesting to see the same member of the folk-rock band beat boxing. It's like they asked What Would Dylan Do? And did the opposite. Still, it was entertaining so I can't complain too much.
They also did one gospel-ish song, which coincidentally sounded the best and seemed to be the most high energy (in a non-destructive way). They need to record it so I can buy it. Yeah, some people still buy music. Fine, don't believe me. I got to go download some videos. Later.
Saw a Felice Brothers concert, which was also my first real concert in six years or so, give or take a couple. It was high energy, which was good, until it got a little too high energy at the end. Still, how often can you say you saw someone breaking his washboard at a concert? It was also interesting to see the same member of the folk-rock band beat boxing. It's like they asked What Would Dylan Do? And did the opposite. Still, it was entertaining so I can't complain too much.
They also did one gospel-ish song, which coincidentally sounded the best and seemed to be the most high energy (in a non-destructive way). They need to record it so I can buy it. Yeah, some people still buy music. Fine, don't believe me. I got to go download some videos. Later.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Happy 4th
A few 4th of July highlights:
1. Before the parade on main street in Windham New York we noticed a lady approach one of many tiny American flags on a fence in front of the public library, snatch it, and walk (semi) casually away. I wanted to yell "Stop stealing America!" but it was too late.
2. During the parade I acquired a new skill--dodging projectile candy. I got pretty good at it too, thanks for asking.
3. When we got home, we discovered the neigbors were having quite a large bonfire without a permit. This is in a rural, heavilly wooded area, so we felt the urge to call it in. A police car and later two fire trucks came up the narrow steep dirt driveway to us, since we were the ones who called. The first two backed up and headed toward the proper house, but the last fire truck had issues turning around. After tearing up another neighbor's driveway a bit, lots of effort, and more effort on our part to keep from laughing (too loud), they got out. Eventually, all was slightly better. Even later, the fire went bye-bye.
1. Before the parade on main street in Windham New York we noticed a lady approach one of many tiny American flags on a fence in front of the public library, snatch it, and walk (semi) casually away. I wanted to yell "Stop stealing America!" but it was too late.
2. During the parade I acquired a new skill--dodging projectile candy. I got pretty good at it too, thanks for asking.
3. When we got home, we discovered the neigbors were having quite a large bonfire without a permit. This is in a rural, heavilly wooded area, so we felt the urge to call it in. A police car and later two fire trucks came up the narrow steep dirt driveway to us, since we were the ones who called. The first two backed up and headed toward the proper house, but the last fire truck had issues turning around. After tearing up another neighbor's driveway a bit, lots of effort, and more effort on our part to keep from laughing (too loud), they got out. Eventually, all was slightly better. Even later, the fire went bye-bye.
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