Barbeque for Breakfast? Why not?
I was in Memphis on a layover on my way to Gulfport, MS for Christmas, and there it was - heaven.
Corky's is my favorite BBQ chain. Yes, it's a chain, so it's not like the Rendezvous or the Interstate in Memphis, but they do ship via Fed-ex to many parts of the USA including my home on a semi-annual basis.
9:45am Memphis
1 - Barbequed pork sandwich
+1 - Sweet Tea
= FABULOUS!
All of that followed by the plane trip to Gulfport. Actually, the plane almost made it to Gulfport, but had to scoot over to Baton Rouge to land because the airport in Gulfport was broken.
The flight crew kept us on the plane and on the ground for a while before they stepped out and got us some potato chips. Moments later they decided that they were going to cancel the rest of the flight and took us off the plane to get our luggage before putting us on a 3 hour bus ride back to Gulfport.
A few minutes of standing around at the ticket counter later, they found out that the Gulfport airport was working again. So, we all gave our luggage back to the ticket agents and went back through security, and back to the plane.
Twenty-six minutes of stomach-churning turbulence later, I'm back in Gulfport and headed for the family homestead.
Merry Christmas!
God bless us... every one.
December 23, 2006
December 4, 2006
cran-blogging
At this most wonderful time of the year, the Thanksgiving to Christmas, Hannukah through New Years and Kwanza holiday food is brought out and piled high.
The Cranberry of course plays a major role in the feasting. There's the traditional cranberry sauce - shaped like the can (my favorite) or the whole-berry variety. Some people make their own with orange peel and they are just plain wrong. (violation of food rule #1 and #8 - see future post about the food rules.)
Over the years, the cranberry has popped up in myriad other places, usually in a beverage. There's cranberry Juice cocktail, cran-grape, cran-apple, cran-raspberry, cran-strawberry, cran-mango, cran-blueberry, Cranberry Gingerale and a potporri of chutneys, syrups, and other concoctions.
This year, whilst exploring one of my favorite local groceries, I discovered this (see picture) cranberry horseradish sauce. You know, I don't even care if it's good. I don't care if one drop of this on my tongue would clear my sinuses and would transport my tastebuds to another dimension upon wings of extacy. This time the cranberry salesman has gone too far.
Back off cranberry man!
maybe it's just me...
The Cranberry of course plays a major role in the feasting. There's the traditional cranberry sauce - shaped like the can (my favorite) or the whole-berry variety. Some people make their own with orange peel and they are just plain wrong. (violation of food rule #1 and #8 - see future post about the food rules.)
Over the years, the cranberry has popped up in myriad other places, usually in a beverage. There's cranberry Juice cocktail, cran-grape, cran-apple, cran-raspberry, cran-strawberry, cran-mango, cran-blueberry, Cranberry Gingerale and a potporri of chutneys, syrups, and other concoctions.
This year, whilst exploring one of my favorite local groceries, I discovered this (see picture) cranberry horseradish sauce. You know, I don't even care if it's good. I don't care if one drop of this on my tongue would clear my sinuses and would transport my tastebuds to another dimension upon wings of extacy. This time the cranberry salesman has gone too far.
Back off cranberry man!
maybe it's just me...
November 7, 2006
Tea-riffic
Do y'all have sweet tea? (pronounced Sw-ay-et Tay)
That's one of the first things I heard my brother Dave say in a restaurant. I knew I was in the South and that Sweet Tea is the house wine down there, but I hadn't considered the ramifications of finding both sweet and un-sweet tea. It turns out that maintaining sweet tea is a bunch of work.
For those who don't know what Sweet Tea is - it's not just tea with sweetener in it, and it's definitely not from the soda fountain. It must be brewed, and brewed hot. While it's still on the stove, you add sugar, when it disolves, add more sugar. Then when that disolves, add more sugar. Once that disolves, add more sugar. (you getting the idea here?) Finally when you add sugar and it doesn't disolve, it's done. Serve chilled over ice.
I snapped this photo at the Atlanta Bread Co. and they do a fine job. Sweet tea is also finally available in West Michigan at a few other places I like to go - Moe's Southwest grill, and Famous Daves BBQ.
This is one time when a small world is absolutely Tea-riffic. (yeah... I just went there)
Maybe it's just me...
That's one of the first things I heard my brother Dave say in a restaurant. I knew I was in the South and that Sweet Tea is the house wine down there, but I hadn't considered the ramifications of finding both sweet and un-sweet tea. It turns out that maintaining sweet tea is a bunch of work.
For those who don't know what Sweet Tea is - it's not just tea with sweetener in it, and it's definitely not from the soda fountain. It must be brewed, and brewed hot. While it's still on the stove, you add sugar, when it disolves, add more sugar. Then when that disolves, add more sugar. Once that disolves, add more sugar. (you getting the idea here?) Finally when you add sugar and it doesn't disolve, it's done. Serve chilled over ice.
I snapped this photo at the Atlanta Bread Co. and they do a fine job. Sweet tea is also finally available in West Michigan at a few other places I like to go - Moe's Southwest grill, and Famous Daves BBQ.
This is one time when a small world is absolutely Tea-riffic. (yeah... I just went there)
Maybe it's just me...
October 28, 2006
The only Cardinals fan in Michigan
The steam is being let out of the hot dog vendors carts tonight. The Tigers totally deserved to be in the World Series this year, and their season was miraculous. I, on the otherhand am tickled pink, nay - Cardinal red - today. St. Louis won the World Series.
Growing up in Chicago, it was only natural that I was a Cubs fan. Spending summers with my grandfather in Northwest Iowa, gave me a choice between following the White Sox for the summer or the Cardinals. I couldn't follow the Sox, and I wasn't aware enough to understand that the Cardinals were the arch-enemies of the Cubs. So I've grown up as kind of a contradiction. Now, nearly 40 years old, I've followed both the Cubs and the Cards, forsaking all others and in some cases my sanity, until today.
Cards win! Cards win! Cards win!
Living in Michigan, there are as many Cubs fans on the West side of the state as there are Tigers fans. I can imagine the sour expressions on the faces of my friends of both ilk. It's going to be a rough week.
Time to pack away the hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, crackerjack and stadium nachos until next year. Thanks for a great season red-birds!
... I happen to know it's not just me.
October 27, 2006
Thai one on
Lunch today at Godblogcon was in the Biola University cafeteria. Apparently the long lines of sheep to the fodder are over. The students can choose from any number of different small lines leading to everything imaginable. There's the pizza line, the salad bar, a dessert bar, a row of cereal dispensers, and some pretty decent international cuisine. Sandwiches of any variety are available - a soup bar - really incredible. I chose the Thai Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice. There were some very fancy and tasty green beans - and a Dr. Pepper to wash it down.
As I write this, the conference is jumping from a pretty great plenary session regarding the intersection of politics and christianity, to a live broadcast of the Hugh Hewitt Show. Honestly, I don't think I need to sit in the room with the live radio show, so I'm sitting outside in a lovely courtyard. Listening dutifully of course.
So back to the food - I don't think the Biola student body has any clue how good they have it. Reminds me of
God's promises to us through the people he set aside. The story of God is punctuated over and over by promises that God will give us a host of benefits - but we have responsibilities - or appropriate responses to those promises.
I get really excited about that.
...maybe it's just me.
As I write this, the conference is jumping from a pretty great plenary session regarding the intersection of politics and christianity, to a live broadcast of the Hugh Hewitt Show. Honestly, I don't think I need to sit in the room with the live radio show, so I'm sitting outside in a lovely courtyard. Listening dutifully of course.
So back to the food - I don't think the Biola student body has any clue how good they have it. Reminds me of
God's promises to us through the people he set aside. The story of God is punctuated over and over by promises that God will give us a host of benefits - but we have responsibilities - or appropriate responses to those promises.
I get really excited about that.
...maybe it's just me.
Tommy can you hear me
I'm in Los Angeles at Godblogcon learning more about blogging. However, I've still got to eat don't I?
Los Angeles is filled with sushi joints, falafel stands, strip malls, and a potpourri of delightful things to smell, eat, see, and do. I'm drawn to just about everything else.
When I think about whether to eat something - that is clearly not good for me, I'm reminded of this note in the bible.
Basically it sums up the idea the we're called to live a free life - not with wrecklessness (or license to do or in my case eat whatever we want to do) or without love for others, but the freedom from the junk that we might do to each other if we put ourselves first instead of putting God first.
What does this have to do with a Tommy Burger?
This pile of goo represents to me that which is best in the world and can be taken in without polluting myself or others that I care about. I shouldn't eat this every day to be sure, but once every 20 years or so, I can cross that line.
...maybe it's just me?
Los Angeles is filled with sushi joints, falafel stands, strip malls, and a potpourri of delightful things to smell, eat, see, and do. I'm drawn to just about everything else.
When I think about whether to eat something - that is clearly not good for me, I'm reminded of this note in the bible.
Basically it sums up the idea the we're called to live a free life - not with wrecklessness (or license to do or in my case eat whatever we want to do) or without love for others, but the freedom from the junk that we might do to each other if we put ourselves first instead of putting God first.
What does this have to do with a Tommy Burger?
This pile of goo represents to me that which is best in the world and can be taken in without polluting myself or others that I care about. I shouldn't eat this every day to be sure, but once every 20 years or so, I can cross that line.
...maybe it's just me?
October 26, 2006
Oh yes - there will be blog
Dateline Los Angeles, California: home of themed restaurants and Knotts Berry Farm. I've got a view of both from my hotel window as I wait for Godblogcon to get started.
I'm traveling with Andy, our designated blogger, and we're safely ensconced in the Buena Park Holiday Inn, complete with wi-fi. Last night, Andy's sister Becky drove up from the San Diego area to visit with her brother and I got to join them for dinner at The Claim Jumper.
I enjoyed the "Cowboy Steak" - how can you pass on anything with the word "cowboy" in it? It was a delightfully aged NY Strip topped with some very spicy salsa with lots of cillantro. The salsa was placed on the steak while cooking, so it really sunk in and brought some extra tastiness to an already flavorful and tender slab of meat.
The lemonade was exceptional - fresh with a sprinkling of sugar on the rim and a sprig of mint. Well done!
I had to hold off and avoid the "ore cart" an item on the menu that I'm sure is served in an ore cart that you might find in an old-west silver mine of some kind. There were at least three entres listed in the description. I also did not have a slice of the 6-layer chocolate decadence cake. (shudder)
One note regarding the "children's menu" at The Claim Jumper. There's a children's menu for kids under 10 and a "Juniors menu" which according to the legend is "great for young people and seniors". That had me laughing for a while.
... maybe it's just me
I'm traveling with Andy, our designated blogger, and we're safely ensconced in the Buena Park Holiday Inn, complete with wi-fi. Last night, Andy's sister Becky drove up from the San Diego area to visit with her brother and I got to join them for dinner at The Claim Jumper.
I enjoyed the "Cowboy Steak" - how can you pass on anything with the word "cowboy" in it? It was a delightfully aged NY Strip topped with some very spicy salsa with lots of cillantro. The salsa was placed on the steak while cooking, so it really sunk in and brought some extra tastiness to an already flavorful and tender slab of meat.
The lemonade was exceptional - fresh with a sprinkling of sugar on the rim and a sprig of mint. Well done!
I had to hold off and avoid the "ore cart" an item on the menu that I'm sure is served in an ore cart that you might find in an old-west silver mine of some kind. There were at least three entres listed in the description. I also did not have a slice of the 6-layer chocolate decadence cake. (shudder)
One note regarding the "children's menu" at The Claim Jumper. There's a children's menu for kids under 10 and a "Juniors menu" which according to the legend is "great for young people and seniors". That had me laughing for a while.
... maybe it's just me
October 10, 2006
dog-food
Special guest - Walter!
Here on brian-food, I do my best to tell people what's going on in my life, share my observations, or simply make someone smile. The trick is to do that all within the context of food. Today, it's a bit of a stretch, but when I saw that Walter was not only chewing his baseball toy, but had eaten a hole through it, I took this opportunity.
I should say on the outset that Walter occasionally eats his toys, rather than simply chewing them, or playing fetch. He played fetch for about 10 seconds this morning and then hunkered down to do some damage. In the last 15 minutes, he's completely removed the baseball you see here, and has started to work on the rest of the toy. I'll clean it up later. Now - on with the story.
Last night, my softball team had the single greatest game of our career together. Most of the guys have been playing together for the last five years, and we've usually finished somewhere in the middle of the pack. This Fall, we hadn't won a single game, until last night. Final score: 38-9. The whole team played like I've always believed we could play. We started out with some solid hits, taking an early lead. Our defense was rock solid. As for me, I felt more in control of my pitching than I ever have before in my life, and I hit my first home run over the fence in a game. Our record for this season is now 1 and 9, but to me it feels like we just won the championship.
So - to all the guys who played last night:
Ron, Mark VA, Mark A, Morgan, Jplant, Kevin, Brian A, Joel, and Craig
Thanks for a great game!
To our fans who made it last night:
Jessica, Kara, Monica, Gary, Leslie, Carolyn, and Mark VA's grandparents - and you too Rika
Thanks for coming - and your cheering made the game that much sweeter.
An informal poll last night tells me that I'm allowed to feel really good about the game for the next two weeks. I intend to make the most of that.
... maybe it's just me
Here on brian-food, I do my best to tell people what's going on in my life, share my observations, or simply make someone smile. The trick is to do that all within the context of food. Today, it's a bit of a stretch, but when I saw that Walter was not only chewing his baseball toy, but had eaten a hole through it, I took this opportunity.
I should say on the outset that Walter occasionally eats his toys, rather than simply chewing them, or playing fetch. He played fetch for about 10 seconds this morning and then hunkered down to do some damage. In the last 15 minutes, he's completely removed the baseball you see here, and has started to work on the rest of the toy. I'll clean it up later. Now - on with the story.
Last night, my softball team had the single greatest game of our career together. Most of the guys have been playing together for the last five years, and we've usually finished somewhere in the middle of the pack. This Fall, we hadn't won a single game, until last night. Final score: 38-9. The whole team played like I've always believed we could play. We started out with some solid hits, taking an early lead. Our defense was rock solid. As for me, I felt more in control of my pitching than I ever have before in my life, and I hit my first home run over the fence in a game. Our record for this season is now 1 and 9, but to me it feels like we just won the championship.
So - to all the guys who played last night:
Ron, Mark VA, Mark A, Morgan, Jplant, Kevin, Brian A, Joel, and Craig
Thanks for a great game!
To our fans who made it last night:
Jessica, Kara, Monica, Gary, Leslie, Carolyn, and Mark VA's grandparents - and you too Rika
Thanks for coming - and your cheering made the game that much sweeter.
An informal poll last night tells me that I'm allowed to feel really good about the game for the next two weeks. I intend to make the most of that.
... maybe it's just me
October 2, 2006
What up 'G'?
I'm from the Chicago suburbs. I grew up knowing nothing about the wonderfulness that is Giordano's pizza until I was in my late teens, and by then it was almost too late. I managed to have just a few pieces before moving to Connecticut (where pizza goes when it's bad).
Since then, I've been an evangelist for Giordano's pizza. I definitely have way too much, every time I'm there. My most recent trip proved to follow my m.o.
My preferences include:
Sausage
Plain and simple. Oh sure, some of you may want to muddy the waters with more fillings like pepperoni, or canadian bacon (ham), or worse yet "deluxe". My considerable experience has led me to the arguable fact that the sausage pizza is their best. This is especially noticable when the evil-opposite of Giordano's rears it's ugly head - Gino's. The sausage is abysmal.
... maybe it's just me
September 20, 2006
Heaven in a box
The plural of ox = oxen...
The plural of box = boxen.
Boxen of heavenly goodness.
Boxen of bodily badness.
The White Castle hamburger, or "slider" is a thing to behold. A small, quite thin patty of "meat". The patty is perforated with five 1/4" holes like the #5 on dice. The burgers, and subsequently the reconstituted onions, the pickles, and the buns are steamed, not grilled or fried. This produces a grey-ish-brown-ish, sligthly slimey, squishy burger. The consequences of this to one's digestive system are delightful, and awful, simultaneously.
...maybe it's just me
The plural of box = boxen.
Boxen of heavenly goodness.
Boxen of bodily badness.
The White Castle hamburger, or "slider" is a thing to behold. A small, quite thin patty of "meat". The patty is perforated with five 1/4" holes like the #5 on dice. The burgers, and subsequently the reconstituted onions, the pickles, and the buns are steamed, not grilled or fried. This produces a grey-ish-brown-ish, sligthly slimey, squishy burger. The consequences of this to one's digestive system are delightful, and awful, simultaneously.
...maybe it's just me
September 3, 2006
mouthful of pain
This is Steve. He's an old friend of mine from my days working at Calvin College, and who now works for yahoo, and engages in shameless promotion of Target stores.
Steve and I went to St. Louis for our friend Neal's wedding. The wedding was in Alton, IL, just across the 'big muddy' from St. Louis. We had some time to kill, so we went to the mall, and I got into (tried to get into) this rocketship. Please note, that although I was in Illinois, I was boo'd by a little kid in the mall for wearing my Cubs jersey. I bought a Cardinal's cap to go with it. That ought to fix the kid.
It didn't take long for Steve to spot this little beauty.
Steve is a lot more adventurous than he looks and has been skydiving several times. I don't think, however, that jumping from a plane prepared him for 'the mouthful'.
The gumballs looked pretty big, but not insurmountable. I offered to buy, if Steve would eat it, and Steve agreed, providing I'd photograph it. So, 50-cents later...
and with the use of my trusty phone-cam... it began. The double-barrel turney-thing was pretty sweet.
The view of the gumballs through the glass did not do them justice. The shotput clattered down the runway as the machine delivered its payload.
Blue!
Turns out there seemed to be more to the gumball than we bargained for. There was an audible rattle. What could it be? A crunchy surprise? More gum? Something else? There was only one way to find out.
It's at times like this that one begins to question the wisdom of a particular act. Actually, it's at times like this when one should question the wisdom of a particular act. It rarely is the time that we question our own wisdom, until it's too late.
Too late...
Much too late...
Eventually, he had to take it out and bite it in half. There were some problems with that though. Steve couldn't close his mouth, so the blue spit built up and eventually spilled out onto the ground. Those pictures are not here, but if you follow any of the links on the pictures, you'll find the rest.
Good news, there were some kind of 'nerds' or other nibbles of hard candy inside, making the noise.
Looking back, I've thought a lot about the symbolism of the big gumball and I haven't come up with anything relevant yet. What do you think?
... maybe it's just me.
August 24, 2006
So Thirsty
I didn't get much sleep last night, and I was feeling a bit dehydrated. So, thank goodness the floor of my office was covered in little cups of water when I came in this morning.
Thanks Angie!
Angie has been the summer intern here at the office, and I've made it my duty to sneak up behind her when she's "nose to the grindstone" in her cubicle and scare the crap out of her. That's been fun. She has discovered that sneaking up and scaring me doesn't work. (quit wearing the high-heels - I can hear you coming a mile away)
Yesterday was her last day in the office and it's been explained to me that she took her own time to punch out at the end of her day and fill my cube with dixie cups, and tie my chair to the desk, phone to the lamp - to the pencil cup.
I love a good practical joke, especially when it's played on me. I hope that's not all she did. While it was time consuming, and shows spunk, the only consequences will be devine retribution.
Angie - I know where you go to school. I have friends on staff. Don't think "if" - start wondering "when".
... maybe it's just me.
Thanks Angie!
Angie has been the summer intern here at the office, and I've made it my duty to sneak up behind her when she's "nose to the grindstone" in her cubicle and scare the crap out of her. That's been fun. She has discovered that sneaking up and scaring me doesn't work. (quit wearing the high-heels - I can hear you coming a mile away)
Yesterday was her last day in the office and it's been explained to me that she took her own time to punch out at the end of her day and fill my cube with dixie cups, and tie my chair to the desk, phone to the lamp - to the pencil cup.
I love a good practical joke, especially when it's played on me. I hope that's not all she did. While it was time consuming, and shows spunk, the only consequences will be devine retribution.
Angie - I know where you go to school. I have friends on staff. Don't think "if" - start wondering "when".
... maybe it's just me.
August 19, 2006
A cone for all seasons
The ice cream cone.
Since the early 1800's people have been eating ice cream cones. The cones have come in many shapes and sizes. They can be covered in toppings in the form of a walking sundae, and evenually become so top-heavy that they must be placed face-down in a small bucket.
I wish to reference the classic soft-serve cone from Dairy Queen. Be it the standard vanilla, chocolate (pictured) or the 'twist', this vendor got it right. Consistency, presentation, flavor, the whole 9-yards.
Dairy Queen has offered a number of other delightful treats from the Mr. Misty (slush) to the Dilly Bar, to the Peanut Buster Parfait, culminating in the Blizzard, but I believe the finest expression of ice cream is found simply on top of an Eat-it-all cone, undecorated and unblemished.
or on a stick... cause man, isn't everything better on a stick?
... maybe it's just me.
Since the early 1800's people have been eating ice cream cones. The cones have come in many shapes and sizes. They can be covered in toppings in the form of a walking sundae, and evenually become so top-heavy that they must be placed face-down in a small bucket.
I wish to reference the classic soft-serve cone from Dairy Queen. Be it the standard vanilla, chocolate (pictured) or the 'twist', this vendor got it right. Consistency, presentation, flavor, the whole 9-yards.
Dairy Queen has offered a number of other delightful treats from the Mr. Misty (slush) to the Dilly Bar, to the Peanut Buster Parfait, culminating in the Blizzard, but I believe the finest expression of ice cream is found simply on top of an Eat-it-all cone, undecorated and unblemished.
or on a stick... cause man, isn't everything better on a stick?
... maybe it's just me.
August 18, 2006
Moe-riffic
The ubiquitous "They" have put in a new semi-fast-food joint in town called "Moe's Southwest Grill". The wikipedia entry just doesn't do it justice.
They've got a great theme going. Everybody yells "welcome to Moe's" as you walk in. The bathroom doors (pictured) are "he-moe's" and "she-moe's". And that's not the end of it.
It's a Burrito place. If you've been to Q'doba or Chipotle, you get the idea. My favorite part about going to Moe's is the pop-culture quiz you find yourself in the middle of as you read the menu.
The Homewrecker
Joey Bag of Donuts
Art Vandalay
The Full Monty
The Other Lewinsky
The Ugly Naked Guy
Sherman Klump
John Coctostan
I Said Posse
Ruprict
Billy Barou
Pinky Tuscadero
Close Talker
And possibly my favorite...
El Guapo's IN-famous salsa.
They also have real sweet-tea. (there are now 2 chain eateries in Grand Rapids with sweet-tea)
The steak and chicken are marinated and are deligtfully tasty!
... maybe it's just me
They've got a great theme going. Everybody yells "welcome to Moe's" as you walk in. The bathroom doors (pictured) are "he-moe's" and "she-moe's". And that's not the end of it.
It's a Burrito place. If you've been to Q'doba or Chipotle, you get the idea. My favorite part about going to Moe's is the pop-culture quiz you find yourself in the middle of as you read the menu.
The Homewrecker
Joey Bag of Donuts
Art Vandalay
The Full Monty
The Other Lewinsky
The Ugly Naked Guy
Sherman Klump
John Coctostan
I Said Posse
Ruprict
Billy Barou
Pinky Tuscadero
Close Talker
And possibly my favorite...
El Guapo's IN-famous salsa.
They also have real sweet-tea. (there are now 2 chain eateries in Grand Rapids with sweet-tea)
The steak and chicken are marinated and are deligtfully tasty!
... maybe it's just me
July 19, 2006
Dispense-a-lid Disaster
The afternoon was moist.... even sultry when I entered the theater closest to my home in the South third of Kent County. The air was full of possibilities and one of them was for a good movie, a bucket of popcorn and a brimming $4 cup of flavored carbonated beverage. Superman Returns was on the docket for the toasting Sunday tea-time, boasting 95 degrees and 100% humidity. I enjoyed the movie regardless of what the critics said. The optimism associated with an afternoon movie was quickly quenched, not by the soda I would eventually imbibe, but the loss of hope and faith in humanity.
Vandalism reared it's ugly hindquarters and produced a full moon in the direction of the Dispense-a-lid. I routinely marvel at the ingenuity and the "why did this take so long to invent" aspect of simple cover dealer. My coworkers, I'm sure, grow weary of my constant regaling of it's wonders. This day, i wept softly to myself as I surveyed the wanton destruction at the self-serve counter.
Not only was this dispenser ripped off its hinges, but so was every "large" dispenser. Today, I'm embarrassed to live in the same vicinity as whoever perpetrated this heinous act.
...maybe it's just me
Vandalism reared it's ugly hindquarters and produced a full moon in the direction of the Dispense-a-lid. I routinely marvel at the ingenuity and the "why did this take so long to invent" aspect of simple cover dealer. My coworkers, I'm sure, grow weary of my constant regaling of it's wonders. This day, i wept softly to myself as I surveyed the wanton destruction at the self-serve counter.
Not only was this dispenser ripped off its hinges, but so was every "large" dispenser. Today, I'm embarrassed to live in the same vicinity as whoever perpetrated this heinous act.
...maybe it's just me
July 8, 2006
World cup fever
I'm watching the World Cup at home on this fine Saturday afternoon. Germany has just scored the first of two goals that happened in quick succession. (a third followed while I was typing this - by the same guy!) Two Goals! That's huge in "Futball"! Soccer wasn't really an option when I was a kid, so I don't share the passion for it that some of my younger friends do. Putting that aside, I think there are a few reasons that Soccer will have trouble being a commercial success here in the United States.
1) No commercials. Sure, there are ads all the way around the stadium, and the simple banner ad in the scoreboard at the top of the screen, but it's not enough to create the top of mind awareness that advertisers expect.
2) Not enough scoring. Even baseball doesn't move at this this pace.
3) No breaks in play (see #1) to get snacky things. Either on TV or in the stadium. The half-time is too short for attendees to hit the head and the concession stands.
4) Simple Math. The clock counts up, and not down. Americans want to know how much time is left in a game, without doing math. Yeah, we're kinda dumb like that.
5) Referees. The little guys look like they're going to get killed out there. Let's move Ed Hochuli from the NFL to the MLS and see what happens.
By all means, prove me wrong America! Let's rally together and make World Cup soccer as big a deal as the superbowl, world series, and final four.
Finally, Budweiser, you get a full-moon out the car window the next time I'm in St. Louis. Here's why:
An American Beer company sponsored the World Cup, in Germany. I'm not a drinker. I've never had a beer. (seriously) But this I know. American beer is like making love in a canoe. (you can look that joke up on google) Germany - didn't they invent beer? Shouldn't a German beer be the "official beer of the world cup"? I'm just saying that in the scope of ranking beer for the quality factor, Budweiser has got to be near the bottom of the pile and anything out of Germany has got to be better. It's embarrassing for me as an American to be associated with that kind of stupidity. Budweiser of course can't even use the name "Budweiser" in Germany, because there is already another beer with that name. It's now called Anheuser Bush "Bud". The horror...
But that's not the worst of it. (read on)
From The Wall Street Journal (Jun 22, 2006):
Please interpret that in this way. Budweiser didn't want another beer logo displayed in any way during the match. So they wouldn't let the Hollanders into the stadium with the orange pants. A hearty hats (and other articles of clothing) off to the Dutch people who said, "fine, take the pants." and stripped down to their underthings at the entrance to the stadium. Nice going Netherlands - too bad you were stinky sports in the game vs Portugal.
maybe it's just me...
1) No commercials. Sure, there are ads all the way around the stadium, and the simple banner ad in the scoreboard at the top of the screen, but it's not enough to create the top of mind awareness that advertisers expect.
2) Not enough scoring. Even baseball doesn't move at this this pace.
3) No breaks in play (see #1) to get snacky things. Either on TV or in the stadium. The half-time is too short for attendees to hit the head and the concession stands.
4) Simple Math. The clock counts up, and not down. Americans want to know how much time is left in a game, without doing math. Yeah, we're kinda dumb like that.
5) Referees. The little guys look like they're going to get killed out there. Let's move Ed Hochuli from the NFL to the MLS and see what happens.
By all means, prove me wrong America! Let's rally together and make World Cup soccer as big a deal as the superbowl, world series, and final four.
Finally, Budweiser, you get a full-moon out the car window the next time I'm in St. Louis. Here's why:
An American Beer company sponsored the World Cup, in Germany. I'm not a drinker. I've never had a beer. (seriously) But this I know. American beer is like making love in a canoe. (you can look that joke up on google) Germany - didn't they invent beer? Shouldn't a German beer be the "official beer of the world cup"? I'm just saying that in the scope of ranking beer for the quality factor, Budweiser has got to be near the bottom of the pile and anything out of Germany has got to be better. It's embarrassing for me as an American to be associated with that kind of stupidity. Budweiser of course can't even use the name "Budweiser" in Germany, because there is already another beer with that name. It's now called Anheuser Bush "Bud". The horror...
But that's not the worst of it. (read on)
From The Wall Street Journal (Jun 22, 2006):
Going Dutch gained a whole new meaning with this World Cup. Last Friday, at the Stuttgart stadium in Germany, scores of fans from the Netherlands, up to 1,000 according to some reports, watched their team's match in their underwear. It wasn't due to the alleged Dutch aversion to part with hard currency (for clothes or much else). No, the fans showed up fully dressed but were stripped down to boxers and briefs because their pants violated the strict rules of FIFA, soccer's global authority.
Please interpret that in this way. Budweiser didn't want another beer logo displayed in any way during the match. So they wouldn't let the Hollanders into the stadium with the orange pants. A hearty hats (and other articles of clothing) off to the Dutch people who said, "fine, take the pants." and stripped down to their underthings at the entrance to the stadium. Nice going Netherlands - too bad you were stinky sports in the game vs Portugal.
maybe it's just me...
June 30, 2006
Coke Blech!
I've gone ahead and tried the Coke "Blak".
I found the sigle bottle marked at $1.49 at my local D&W with a $0.40 coupon attached, so I caved.
It is not two great tastes that go great together. I love Coca-Cola. I enjoy one from time to time. I like the Cherry-Coke, and if you put syrup into coke you can make some great flavor combinations. Vanilla, Strawberry, Stranilla! Some people like a chocolate coke (tried it, didn't like it)
I do think the Coke company has messed up the flavors after Cherry. The Lemon-pledge Coke was abysmal. The Vanilla Coke was good for the first two-liter, then it started tasting like caopectate. I tried the black-cherry-vanilla sample in the grocery store. It's just plain wrong. The Lime is actually better in the diet than in the regular, but it still doesn't hold a candle to actually squeezing limes into Coke.
Putting coffee flavoring into Coke was not a good idea. +1 on the packaging though.
A side note -
Ingredients:
Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, natural flavors, coffee extract, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate (to protect taste), caffeine, aspartame, acesulfame potassium
Seriously?
High fructose corn syrup AND aspartame?
What's the point of that?
maybe it's just me...
I found the sigle bottle marked at $1.49 at my local D&W with a $0.40 coupon attached, so I caved.
It is not two great tastes that go great together. I love Coca-Cola. I enjoy one from time to time. I like the Cherry-Coke, and if you put syrup into coke you can make some great flavor combinations. Vanilla, Strawberry, Stranilla! Some people like a chocolate coke (tried it, didn't like it)
I do think the Coke company has messed up the flavors after Cherry. The Lemon-pledge Coke was abysmal. The Vanilla Coke was good for the first two-liter, then it started tasting like caopectate. I tried the black-cherry-vanilla sample in the grocery store. It's just plain wrong. The Lime is actually better in the diet than in the regular, but it still doesn't hold a candle to actually squeezing limes into Coke.
Putting coffee flavoring into Coke was not a good idea. +1 on the packaging though.
A side note -
Ingredients:
Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, natural flavors, coffee extract, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate (to protect taste), caffeine, aspartame, acesulfame potassium
Seriously?
High fructose corn syrup AND aspartame?
What's the point of that?
maybe it's just me...
June 27, 2006
Dispense-a-lid
I love going to the movies. I love getting some popcorn and a soda. I do not love trying to grab a single lid off of the ubiquitous stack of lids found in every movie theater and gas station near the soda fountain.
Some theaters hand you a cup and a lid - then you go off to get your drink. The latest theater near my house had a stroke of genius with their dispense-a-lid.
I don't know if it's really called that, but that's the name I've given it.
GENIUS!! Pure and unadulterated GENIUS!
They still give you the cup at the concession stand, for security purposes. Then all you do is toddle up to the dispense-a-lid, and follow the instructions. Pull down on the handle and there it is! Only one lid. Pick it up, and put it on your cup. GENIUS!
I can't wait to see this take over the world.
Maybe it's just me...
Some theaters hand you a cup and a lid - then you go off to get your drink. The latest theater near my house had a stroke of genius with their dispense-a-lid.
I don't know if it's really called that, but that's the name I've given it.
GENIUS!! Pure and unadulterated GENIUS!
They still give you the cup at the concession stand, for security purposes. Then all you do is toddle up to the dispense-a-lid, and follow the instructions. Pull down on the handle and there it is! Only one lid. Pick it up, and put it on your cup. GENIUS!
I can't wait to see this take over the world.
Maybe it's just me...
Bacado
If you have to go to an early morning meeting, and I often do, it's really nice when you get breakfast.
The Bacado at The Morning Star combines a number of great tastes that I would never have thought of on my own. Bcp told me it was his favorite. My waiter also said it was his favorite. How could I say no?
I'm not that crazy about Avocado on it's own. The saltiness of the bacon and the spice of the cilantro and onion creates a fantastic balance.
On a side note, later in the day I had a cheeseburger with bacon. Bacon, twice in one day? Oh sweet monkey!
... maybe it's just me
The Bacado at The Morning Star combines a number of great tastes that I would never have thought of on my own. Bcp told me it was his favorite. My waiter also said it was his favorite. How could I say no?
I'm not that crazy about Avocado on it's own. The saltiness of the bacon and the spice of the cilantro and onion creates a fantastic balance.
On a side note, later in the day I had a cheeseburger with bacon. Bacon, twice in one day? Oh sweet monkey!
... maybe it's just me
May 18, 2006
Thank you very mocha
I'm borrowing this image from BCP who took the shot with his cameraphone a week or so ago. Following a lovely lunch at Villa Maria in Holland, I met up with my co-workers, Brian, and Brian for our weekly project meeting. We're using Basecamp to help us manage those projects and keep us on task. If you're looking for something to help you out in that regard, I recommend it.
I'm mindful of the fact that no one really needs a 20 oz cup of coffee, do they? (see my last post on the Double Gulp)
That didn't stop me. The mug was really just too much fun to pass-up. It was a de-caf, so I don't think it caused any permanent brain damage. The coffee shop of choice this time was the Java Hut. It's a great little shop, with wireless access, but my cell phone doesn't work in there. That's actually kind of cool sometimes. I've been there twice now and I have to tell you I feel badly for them. They have a great location in a new strip-mall, but no other tennants. They are altogether alone.
So, if you're in Holland - go and bring them your business!
maybe it's just me?
I'm mindful of the fact that no one really needs a 20 oz cup of coffee, do they? (see my last post on the Double Gulp)
That didn't stop me. The mug was really just too much fun to pass-up. It was a de-caf, so I don't think it caused any permanent brain damage. The coffee shop of choice this time was the Java Hut. It's a great little shop, with wireless access, but my cell phone doesn't work in there. That's actually kind of cool sometimes. I've been there twice now and I have to tell you I feel badly for them. They have a great location in a new strip-mall, but no other tennants. They are altogether alone.
So, if you're in Holland - go and bring them your business!
maybe it's just me?
April 22, 2006
Gulp Gulp
I'm on a team, producing an entry for the Compass Academy 24 Hour Film Festival. We've been given a few items that must be in the film, and the rest is up to us.
Theme: Black is the New White
Location: Phone Booth
Prop: Putty
Line: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." (Princess Bride)
We got those at 8:00 PM and have to turn in the finished 5 minute film the next evening.
How do you get through that?
An 8:00 AM trip to 7-11, that's how.
Why does the Double Gulp even exist? It's 64 ounces! I finished it in about 2 hours and my new hobby suddenly became going to the bathroom.
maybe it's just me...
Theme: Black is the New White
Location: Phone Booth
Prop: Putty
Line: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." (Princess Bride)
We got those at 8:00 PM and have to turn in the finished 5 minute film the next evening.
How do you get through that?
An 8:00 AM trip to 7-11, that's how.
Why does the Double Gulp even exist? It's 64 ounces! I finished it in about 2 hours and my new hobby suddenly became going to the bathroom.
maybe it's just me...
April 19, 2006
Shout-Out To My Peeps
The Easter Bunny has come and gone, the frilly grass - in a variety of different colors has been scattered to the four winds, and the chocolate eggs are nothing but foil wrappers. What is left behind are the Peeps.
Peeps are the colored sugar covered marshmallow treats in the shapes of bunnies and chicks. They taste exactly how you imagine they do.
Not everyone views them as just a seasonal cavity inducing lump of marshmallowey goodness. There are those who have performed, shall we say, "unorthodox" experiments on the little fellas.
- reaction to cold
- reaction to heat
- solubility testing
- low-pressure environments
Not to mention the risk analysis.
I just like eating 'em.
maybe it's just me...
actually, I'm pretty sure it's just me.
March 31, 2006
I'm hilarious, and it's not just me
Every now and then at work I chat with Max about the Reverend Fun cartoon. Today, he published one of my ideas.
I'm honored that he did that and gave me a little mention. I feel so special. Does this give validation to my often claim "I'm hilarious"? In and of itself, no, but if you combine it with all the other ways I'm hilarious, you'll see what I mean. At the risk of jeopardizing my natural humility, I submit -
Other ways in which I'm hilarious:
Choice of greeting cards (if you've received a birthday card from me, you know what I mean)
Incontinence (I don't have this problem, it's just a funny word)
Dog named "Walter"
There are probably more ways that I can't think of right now.
This blog is about food though.
Tonight, I'm going to a wedding. There's a reception and everything. My question today is, does anyone really like wedding cake? I've seen many couples spend so much time on a wedding cake; white cake with butter cream frosting, chocolate with raspberry filling, yellow cake soaked in espresso and covered in powdered sugar.
Why not wedding pie? Everybody likes pie right?
I prefer a "make your own sundae". It's a big hit, and you would be much happier.
Ok, maybe it's just me...
March 17, 2006
The Bitter Taste of Vacation
Last week, I went on my first vacation since a trip to the Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam/Las Vegas in 1998. Sure I've been plenty of places to visit family and friends, but a vacation from everything is pretty rare and a treasure.
On the positive side:
It was great to spend time away. I ate some great food, and saw some cool stuff. That's the really important part of a vacation.
On the negative side:
just about everything else.
I waffled between going to San Antonio, Texas and San Diego, California as I thought about where I could find the best weather. This was not just a vacation from work, but a vacation from the gray and cold West Michigan weather. San Diego won, I exchanged airline miles for tickets, made the hotel reservations and took off!
Take a look at the vacation photos.
You'll see "The Big Bri" - a breakfast sandwich offered by Brian's American Eatery, and a few pretty good Mexican restaurants in Old Town.
The weather in San Diego was really disappointing. The local weather casters used the phrase "storm of the century" to describe this cold-damp weekend. On the news they showed people stockpiling sandbags as this monsoon dropped 0.6" on the city during a 4 day period.
The weather was uncharacteristically just like West Michigan as the temperatures stayed around 50, with strong winds, and predominant cloud-cover. However, it produced this view. My friend Mike sent that to me - taken on March 13 (the day I left) - The mountains are about 50 miles east of downtown. I couldn't see them at all while I was there.
West Michigan on the other-hand had temperatures near 70 and gorgeous sunshine while I was gone. It snowed the day I got back. San Antonio had record heat and full sun.
Adding insult to injury, my car had unscheduled and expensive trips to the mechanic. the day before the trip, the day after. Please use the ads to the right of this post and other posts. I gotta pay for the trip and repairs somehow.
Can I get a vacation from my vacation?
maybe it's just me...
On the positive side:
It was great to spend time away. I ate some great food, and saw some cool stuff. That's the really important part of a vacation.
On the negative side:
just about everything else.
I waffled between going to San Antonio, Texas and San Diego, California as I thought about where I could find the best weather. This was not just a vacation from work, but a vacation from the gray and cold West Michigan weather. San Diego won, I exchanged airline miles for tickets, made the hotel reservations and took off!
Take a look at the vacation photos.
You'll see "The Big Bri" - a breakfast sandwich offered by Brian's American Eatery, and a few pretty good Mexican restaurants in Old Town.
The weather in San Diego was really disappointing. The local weather casters used the phrase "storm of the century" to describe this cold-damp weekend. On the news they showed people stockpiling sandbags as this monsoon dropped 0.6" on the city during a 4 day period.
The weather was uncharacteristically just like West Michigan as the temperatures stayed around 50, with strong winds, and predominant cloud-cover. However, it produced this view. My friend Mike sent that to me - taken on March 13 (the day I left) - The mountains are about 50 miles east of downtown. I couldn't see them at all while I was there.
West Michigan on the other-hand had temperatures near 70 and gorgeous sunshine while I was gone. It snowed the day I got back. San Antonio had record heat and full sun.
Adding insult to injury, my car had unscheduled and expensive trips to the mechanic. the day before the trip, the day after. Please use the ads to the right of this post and other posts. I gotta pay for the trip and repairs somehow.
Can I get a vacation from my vacation?
maybe it's just me...
March 3, 2006
Peanuts and Cracker Jack!
I want a Hot Dog!
I want a hot dog so bad, I can almost taste it. I do not however want just some frankfurter from the grocery store. I want a baseball dog.
While telecommuting, I often have the TV on to provide background noise. My borderline ADD make this almost a necessity. Recently though, I got a new TV.
It's ridiculous. It's huge. It's fun. I added the "HD Tier" to my cable for about $7 a month and one of the channels I get is ESPN-HD (check the schedule). While flipping through the few HD channels, I landed there and found Spring Training Baseball! It's Los Angeles vs the Braves - who cares! I want a hot dog. It's the 2nd inning, and LA is up 4-0 - who cares! Someone just caught a foul ball on the 1st base side!
Spring is coming!
I can hardly contain myself.
Until it's warm enough to go to a game yourself, check the schedule and invite yourself over for a game. Love to have ya.
...maybe it's just me
I want a hot dog so bad, I can almost taste it. I do not however want just some frankfurter from the grocery store. I want a baseball dog.
While telecommuting, I often have the TV on to provide background noise. My borderline ADD make this almost a necessity. Recently though, I got a new TV.
It's ridiculous. It's huge. It's fun. I added the "HD Tier" to my cable for about $7 a month and one of the channels I get is ESPN-HD (check the schedule). While flipping through the few HD channels, I landed there and found Spring Training Baseball! It's Los Angeles vs the Braves - who cares! I want a hot dog. It's the 2nd inning, and LA is up 4-0 - who cares! Someone just caught a foul ball on the 1st base side!
Spring is coming!
I can hardly contain myself.
Until it's warm enough to go to a game yourself, check the schedule and invite yourself over for a game. Love to have ya.
...maybe it's just me
January 13, 2006
Optimistic Water
At my office, we have bottled water. We're thankful to have it. It tastes pretty much like water (much better than the tap water in Muskegon) and does all the things that water is supposed to do. Lately lots of major softdrink manufacturers have started pushing their particular take on water. They've come up with cool slogans like:
Dasani (coke) Make your mouth water
Aquafina (pepsi) Make your body happy, drink more water.
The bottled water at our office is incredibly optimistic about it's hydrating properties.
"(H2O) molecules form complex patterns by grouping and clumping together into "clusters". By controlling the size of these clusters, H2 Ultra Fitness Water improves the absorption of water into the body. Resulting in Ultra Hydration for Metabolic Efficiency. You no longer have to drink gallons upon gallons to get your daily allowance. Two bottles a day will make you more hydrated than you’ve felt in a long time. And there is a great taste too!"
It's really good - I like it very much. I can't say that I feel differently by drinkiing two .5 liter bottles than I do when I drink 3 12oz bottles, but man it's a lot easier to drink two than it is three.
(36 US fluid ounces = 1.06464707 liter)
What cracks me up is this note on the box. It's not "best if used by" or "freshness date", it says "enjoy by". That's really nice don't you think?
...maybe it's just me.
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