Thursday, March 29, 2007

Dis or Dat Stuff (again)

This time: Chick flicks

Pick your favorite in each battle:

Terms of Endearment vs. An Officer and A Gentleman

Romancing The Stone vs. Splash

Steel Magnolias vs. Beaches

Working Girl vs. When Harry Met Sally

The Joy Luck Club vs. The Bridges of Madison County

Bridget Jones Diary vs. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Clueless vs. Bring It On

My Best Friend's Wedding vs. Pretty Woman

The Color Purple vs. Fried Green Tomatoes

Legally Blond vs. Miss Congeniality

Dis or Dat Stuff

Pleeeeeeeze read post just below this one for my nominations for the Thinking Blog Award

Action Movies - Round One
Pick one from each pair. Yes, I may have skipped YOUR favorite movie - that's what YOUR blog is for.


Die Hard vs. The Italian Job 2003

Face Off vs. Con Air

The Quick and The Dead vs. Tombstone

Aliens vs. The Terminator

Spiderman vs. The Matrix

Lethal Weapon vs. Golden Eye

48 Hours vs. Rush Hour

Bad Boys vs. Men In Black

Independece Day vs. I, Robot

National Treasure vs. Total Recall

Once Upon a Time in Mexico vs. Desperado

True Lies vs. Top Gun

Awards Stuff

Surprisingly (since I'm really not that deep), I was tagged by the lovely Katrice (http://katrice0321.blogspot.com/)as a nominee for the Thinking Blogger Award (http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.html)

Here are the official instructions:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).


Some of the blogs on my list have already been nominated and I want to share pages you may not be as familiar with. It's taken me a while to think about the weblogs that seem to go a little deeper than the average blog. There are many sites that I visit regularly and that I admire for a wide variety of reasons, but the following really make me think:

http://www.mymixedcompany.com/wp/ is the first weblog that came to mind when given this assignment. Take your time in reading her pages. There's a lot to be learned here.

http://problemchildbride.com/blog/ is an amazing writer. Go take a look-see for yourself! I've only been reading her page for a little while and I'm already hooked!

http://kiyotoe.blogspot.com/ makes me deal with issues I'd sometimes rather skip, but I'm a better person/poet/writer because of his great influence.

http://amadeo.blogsome.com/ is an amazing weblog. He tackles a wide array of topics with honesty and insight.

http://www.restaurantgal.com/ is on the surface about the day to day running of a restaurant. It's really about life. Take a look and you'll be another fan.

There are other blogs that I love - really love, that will be honored in the future.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Green Eggs and Ham Stuff

Foods that I've never eaten and probably never will:

poutine: Poutine (pronounced, roughly, poo-teen, or poo-tin; is a dish consisting of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with hot gravy (usually brown gravy) and sometimes other additional ingredients. The curds' freshness is important as it makes them soft in the warm fries, without completely melting. It is a quintessential French-Canadian comfort food.

Scotch Egg : A Scotch egg consists of a cold, hard-boiled egg removed from its shell, wrapped in a sausage meat mixture, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. The dish was invented by the London food store Fortnum & Mason, in 1738.[1] Contrary to popular belief, it is not a Scottish dish. Scotch eggs are commonly eaten cold, typically with salad and pickles.

Black Pudding a sausage made by cooking animal blood with a filler until it is thick enough to congeal when cooled.

Haggis: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately an hour.

Jellied eel: cooked for approximately half an hour and allowed to cool. The juices then solidify forming the jelly. Sometimes gelatine is added. Jellied eels are often eaten with chili vinegar.

Head cheese: a terrine of meat from the head of a calf or pig (sometimes a sheep or cow) that is usually eaten cold or at room temperature as a luncheon meat.

Kishka
: a blood sausage made with pig's blood and buckwheat or barley, with pig's intestines used as a casing.

Me on Meez Stuff

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Meme Stuff

I got this interesting meme from the sweetheart of the web, http://hotcoffeegirl.squarespace.com/journal/ . Thank you!

Pick a band and answer only using song titles: Jay-Z

Are you male or female: Excuse Me Miss

Describe yourself: Brooklyn’s Finest

Your best piece of advice: Dirt Off Your Shoulder

Describe your last relationship: Regrets – If it’s my current relationship: Never Change

Describe your last crush: Justify My Thug

Say something to someone you have a crush on: Feelin’ It

Say something to an ex: N***** Please

Say something to someone who hurt you severely: U Don’t Know

How do you feel right now: The Ruler’s Back

I want to see your answers!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Whiney Stuff

I don't have any major complaints today - I'm just gonna whine about the small things that irk me. (I promise not to discuss Atlanta traffic)

Captain D's - a fast food seafood restaurant has been advertising what they call "a seafood celebration". Since they serve seafood every single day of the year why have the celebration now? Was the seafood last month sub par? What should we expect when the celebration is over?

There was a time when ordering chicken wings one would get actual chicken wings. For some reason our society has accepted a chicken wing portion (drummette or flat) to take the place of the whole wing and we don't mind paying full price for less than half of what we used to get.

Hoochies, hoochies, hoochies. (sigh) Those short shorts are really cute. You look really cute. Those goosebumps aren't. Wait until it gets a little warmer to share your assets with us. 'Kay? Lotion on those ashy heels would be nice too.

GWB will allow his staff to be questioned regarding the unjustified firing of the 8 Federal Prosecutors - just not under oath. Is this straight up permission to lie? WTF????!@!

There's a store near me: "Everything $1 And Up". A-Duh! So, nothing there under a buck, and some things might cost quite a bit more. Why shop there? I'll either go to a real dollar store or I'll spend at a premium store.

Whine off. (at least for now)

Monday, March 19, 2007

More Tales Stuff

This is a story from Adrian's past.

Years back, Adrian drank liquor and smoked weed like crazy (long, long, long time ago folks, long time ago) (anyone get the parahrased quote* here?)

Adrian came in pretty drunk from partying one night and decided he needed to have something to eat to sober up a little. He raided the refrigerator and apparently made quite a bit of noise in doing so. He finally got things put away and was heading to the table to sit down and eat when something startled him and he dropped the plate making a big mess on the kitchen floor.

His mother, awakened by all the noise in the kitchen was pretty angry with poor Adrian. She yelled a bit - all kinds of stuff about irresponsibilty and drunkenness as our hero began cleaning up the mess.

Understand that Adrian drunk is slow-motion man with exaggerated movements.

His mom finally had her say and started to turn to go back upstairs.

Adrian took this opportunity to shoot his mom the bird behind her back.

Mom wasn't quite finished and turned back to say something more and was shocked to see her sweet baby giving her the finger.

Sweet baby (moving in slow motion) wasn't able to pull out of the move and squatted there, middle finger up in the air.

He said both of them froze in position. He could hear the kitchen clock ticking, but he was unable to do or say anything.

His mom grabbed the mop and bopped him on the side of the head, turned and went to bed.

The end. (well, not really - the story comes up EVERY time he calls his mom.)


* quote from Bernie Mac during the Kings of Comedy Tour.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

List Stuff

I think I'll do a list of my favorite British movies.

1. Trainspotting - how can one watch this and not love it? Baked beans for breakfast, "Mother" the drug dealer, the most disgusting bathroom in Scotland, Spud's job interview, poor dead baby on the ceiling, Begbie (the brilliant Robert Carlyle) starting fights, Sick Boy shooting the dog who then bit his master, and Renton finally walking away.

2.The Full Monty - Robert Carlyle stars as one of 6 unemployed and out of shape gentlemen who decide to earn some money stripping.

3. Much Ado About Nothing - I've actually been asked to "turn that shit off" by visitors who'd rather watch Independence Day (booooooo)or other crap. This movie (directed by one of the stars, the fabulous Kenneth Brannaugh) used the original language of the play by William Shakespeare and I understood everything. Great acting - beautiful scenery.

4. Enchanted April - One of the sweetest little movies I've ever seen. Four strangers share a holiday in Italy. Magical.

5. Bend It Like Beckham - Jess has skills on the soccer field. Her parents are "old country" traditionalists who want her to be more like her soon to be married sister.

6. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Hilarious caper film. Twists and turns galore (wow that sounded corny) so don't look away for a second. There are guys, there are bad guys, there are bad, bad guys and there are really bad, bad guys.

7. The Italian Job - Michael Caine is great as Charlie - the cliffhanger ending is amazing.

8. Chocolat - Since much of the film was shot in England I'm counting this as a British film although the setting is France. A lovely film starring chocolate, Mayan culture, magic, the wind and love. A chocolatier opens a shop in a small isolated town in France during the Catholic Lenten season.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Tales From The Crypt Stuff

Back in the early 80's I was a very different person. Almost immediately after the ink dried on divorce #1, I was ready to broaden my horizons (there's that stupid phrase again) and start hanging out. The "quest for man" had begun.

Luckily, my mom and dad and my sister lived nearby, and they were good and kind people and they allowed me to drop my children off and hit the street once in a while. (no - that wasn't me begging and pleading to get out just ONE night mom, just one night...)

On one of those once in a while dates I went above and beyond my regular beauty regimine and splurged on everything. I was determined to find a new man and the bouncy hair, fresh nails, new outfit and blue suede stilettos (with matching clutch) were all part of my ammunition in the fight for a cute guy with no Jheri curl and all other items on my list.

My prerequisites back then were crazy - tall, well built, great teeth, good nails, great job, funny, very smart, no children (despite the fact that I had 2 of my own), nice apartment or house, disposable income, well educated, very well read, great dancer, nice dresser, compatable astrological sign, close to his family but not dependant on them, not too churchy but spiritual, non Brut wearing, hard worker, street saavy, great kisser, outstanding lover, generous personality, well spoken, well travelled, sports enthusiast... my list went on for days.

The "me" back then would have missed out on the wonderful relationship I have with Adrian. Thank goodness I let go of the unimportant crap and chose the one who is best for me.

Okay, back to the tale:

After almost a whole day of preparation, I was ready to roll. Do you guys remember the old bouncy Oprah hairdo? Me.

Remember the high maintenance 80's look? Me.

Remember the unbelievable clouds of perfume we wore back then? Me.

My girlfriends picked me up last that night and I'm sure that the cabdriver was amused by what I had to say.

"Look at me! I KNOW that I'm going to meet the man of my dreams tonight, girls, how can he resist?"

This ridiculous (but ignorantly sincere) statement was met with silence. My friends weren't in the mood to play along with Jali.

I talked smack for the whole ride to the club. I preened in my seat, tossed my hair repeatedly and crossed and recrossed my legs. I really believed my own hype.

As we pulled up, I reapplied my magenta lipstick (with matching gloss) and shook out my hair for full effect.

"Come the fuck on!" My girl Felicia was getting a bit tired of my performance. I have to admit that I really didn't need to flirt with the cabdriver just to practice my skills, but his reaction gave me the extra "oomph" I wanted.

Remember the "Charlie's Angel's" or "Charlie perfume commercial" walk? Me again. (what a pretentious phoney idiot I was).

As soon as we found a table, a drop dead gorgeous man came over to me. OMG - he was sexy as hell, tall, dark and handsome.

"What are you drinking?" His voice was even sexier than his look.

I wasn't a regular drinker back then, but I had heard of this new concoction called a Long Island Iced Tea and decided to win the man by ordering as a sophisticated woman would. I told him what I wanted and smiled.

I batted my eyes and watched him as he sauntered over to the bar to get my drink. As soon as he was out of earshot I started talking pure smack again.

"See - I TOLD you that I would be irrisistable tonight. The finest man in the place is buying ME a drink."

Cutie pie promptly returned to the table, placed my drink in front of me and said:




wait for it...






it's coming...




almost...


"That'll be $7.00 miss."

Yes, my admirer was the waiter. I don't understand why he didn't ask my girlfriends what they wanted to drink.

To this day if I talk to either one of my girls on the phone they find a way to ask me if I'd like a Long Island Iced Tea. It wasn't funny then and it isn't funny now.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

More Rant Stuff

That stupid commercial with the weak father and the obnoxious kids is back. (you're probably wondering just which of the stupid commercials with the weak father and the obnoxious kids I'm talking about).

It's a minivan commercial and Dad built his boys a treehouse, He's sweaty and tired and is excited to tell them about all the features he included to make their life fun. (how many of our dads actually built us treehouses?)

The children ask if there are leather seats and a DVD player in the treehouse and since the dad didn't offer his two spoiled brat children these luxuries they decide to continue playing in his auto.

I want the commercial to continue to a better resolution. I want Dad to try to start his car and find that his battery is dead since the littlt demons had to have the DVD player on all day. I want him to call the boys little unappreciative monsters and send them to their rooms. I want him to lock his car doors and forbid them from ever getting in his car.

I don't understand why the average guy isn't up in arms based on his portrayal in television commercials. In most commercials either the children or mom have to save the day since dad is just too _________ (naive, gullible, stupid, lazy, ignorant, rash, silly, inept or goofy) to handle the situation. Example: Most of the Sonic burger commercials - the wife knows all - the husband is just stupid.

When did the male of our species become this sad sack? Why do we allow this? Our impressionable children are learning that all men are just plain dumb. We have enough goofy guys in real life (eg: GWB) and we don't need commercial breaks adding to the poor impression of men.

Rant off.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Test stuff

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This is a jali test. I got it from Dirkie-poo, Mama Mancuso's sweet son.

Greedy Stuff


Harolds' NY Deli - Edison NJ

I just started the Atkins diet 4 long days ago (it really works!) so I'm really conscious of foods and I ran across this website and wonder just how greedy we are as a people. http://www.supersizedmeals.com/food/
The first photo below is from the Carnegie Deli - NYC landmark and the second is from a restaurant somewhere in Tennessee. The last photo is from the chain, Ruby Tuesday's.









If I go out to eat, I'll ask for a "to go" container with my meal so that I can remove at least half of the food served.