Skittlebrew

Homer Simpson: I'm feeling kind of low, Apu. Got any of that beer that has candy floating in it? You know, Skittlebrew.
Apu: Such a product does not exist, sir. I think you must have dreamed it.
Homer Simpson: Oh... well, then just give me a six-pack and a couple of bags of Skittles.

i have a compelling urge to make this.

burnt thumb: day 2

i burned my thumb on the metallic paint of a bowl yesterday when i was taking it out of the microwave.

it took a split second for the pain to register with the bowl in my hand.
when i did realize the bowl burning my thumb i had the choice between either dropping the bowl or endure the heat for a few more nanoseconds. in retrospect, dropping the bowl would have been logical but i actually sat it down on the shelf adjacent to the microwave.

i'm not sure if i'm going to log my thumb healing, but here's the first pic a day after.

i can't wait to drain this blister.

80 proof of sweet imported irish goodness

there's no frosted bottles with corks here.
just plain and simple.

the graphic design on the bottle is minimalistic but meaningful.
just the family name, family crest, and family moto.
you gotta love it.
(if you're curious, "sine metu" means "without fear")

established in 1780, it's about as old as america. it's older than jack daniels and jim beam, and jameson is still around after over 300 years for a reason.

serial number: just because it's simple and straight to the point, doesn't mean quality needs to be sacrificed.

simple. clean. gets the job done.

sparkling sake

gekkeikan zipang sake

it's a weird concept, carbonated sake, but i like it.
it's actually really smooth, it's like drinking the smoothest beer i've ever had... a 6 dollar bottle of beer.

but it's sake so it's sweet and has a nice clean finish plus it's naturally carbonated.

i started taking shots of it but by the end was i was chugging it. it's not the best way to spend $6 on sake, especially when it's only 7% alcohol.

but it gets the job done!

All Stitched Up

John Mayer was explaining the idea behind the song he wrote with Herbie Hancock, "All Stitched Up"

The idea for the song came from when
I was parking my car one time in New York City
And I was walking back to my apartment and I saw this girl walking
and I was like “Hey…”

and most guys when they do the “Hey…,” their future life flashes through their eyes.
They see beautiful stuff and they see just a lovely a placid life, with wonderful success
and great love, and think,

“Wow! I walked past that!”

But for whatever reason
I was like “Not so fast you...”

and I starting thinking…
What if we from now on every time we walk by a beautiful woman we say to ourselves,

"I’m glad I never have to ever put up with that!"

It’s an interesting concept.

Interesting concept indeed Mr. Mayer

a night at 99 ranch

sucrose syrup mascot... that's just wrong... so very very wrong.

this caught my eye. remy martin 1738. nice packaging, it's kinda james bondish, but it's pretty useless after the consumption of the bottles. maybe you can be pretend to be james bond and use that for some sort of transaction with the mob or use it for some rockets.

i've been trying to get over a cold. i hope this helps with the coughing.

lastly, i tried a sarsaparilla drink for the first time.

the end.

2009 acura tl.
i think it's gonna take me a while to get used to it.

the 2009 mazda 6 on the other hand looks pretty spiffy.

i like the tapering car line from the back to the front.
the LED back lights are not too radical and pretty cool.

the tail pipes are nice, they're not the first ones to feature those tail pipes but cars seem to be trending that way and brings a sort of sporty sophistication to the car.
those wide fenders borrowed from the mazda rx-8 gives it a nice sporty look too.

but the damn "zoom-zoom" commercials bug the hell out of me.

zen

sashimi tempura dinner @ sushi gen.
orgasmically good.

new ties to the collection

and a vial of collar stays
(it really bugs me when i forget to take them out before washing and lose them in the washer)

BIG TENDER TASTE!

jeff foxworthy peppered beef jerky!
sigh... really? seriously?

96% fat free and 10% more = 100% red neck math goodness!

The Sartorialist

i first read of the sartorialist in GQ magazine, where he's has a colunm. his blog, the The Sartorialist is a fashion blog i subscribe to and frequently read and i thought i'd share it with you guys. it's never really word heavy and features nice hi-res photos of people in interesting fashion - fashion in the sense of stylish clothes but fashion meaning the action and his composition as well.

the blog was created by Scott Schuman, who has worked in sales and marketing for high-end women’s designer collections in new york. here's the link to his bio. he basically roams around the happening streets of fashionable cities like new york, milian, and throughout the world catching sometimes everyday people and sometimes running into fashion designers, who's wardrobe intrigues him, and he takes their photos. he has a lot of people following his blog and he encourages discussion on the clothes.

although i do like the subjects and what their wearing in the photos i also enjoy the composition and the backdrops schuman chooses for his shots. they're almost always in the raw outdoors. sometimes the photos are in an urban setting in front of a dilapidated ny brick building, but sometimes it's contrastingly outside in a fancy garden with fountains.

i hope you check it out and enjoy the blog like i do and maybe become a frequent reader.

Vacation Hat Edition Michael

generic tourist attire featured
(accessories dslr camera, wayfarer sunglasses, and backpack sold separately)

taking pictures and looking awfully suspicious

being a kid and having to ask for 51 cents for the machine

awfully happy at what i got

awfully proud of my achievement but i lose interest in it after 5 minutes.

...more casper pics

steak and wine

since i'm in between jobs i decided to make my own steak. the following items were purchased in my last venture the Ralph and is included in that $50.00 i spent.

i got forgot what cut and how big this was but i do remember it was only $5.00!
a much better deal than going out to eat.

(marinated with the leftover Lawry's lemon and garlic marinade from the BBQ, scrumptious!)


i'm not too sure pinot noir goes with steak. i mainly bought this bottle for the graphic on the label (never a good method to buy wine by the label graphic, but it's my method)

and casper helped with the dishes after dinner.

nostalgia

i'm strangely drawn to these retro items for some reason.

Crosley AV Room Portable USB Turntable
no matter how many gigs of intangible mp3s an ipod can hold, it could never compare to the tactile physicality of a vinyl record.

Olivetti Manual Typewriter
In a world of automation the word "manual" is refreshing.
how many font types? one. how many font sizes? one. how many font colors? one.
there's just something beautiful about the simplicity of a typewritten black and white sheet of paper.

Midcentury Chair
this is a piece of furniture actually made out of wood, not particle board, but real ash wood. plus the wood was treated with a walnut stain. this looks sturdy and can as though it can last longer than a year.

it's not like i don't like technology, i love technology. i always want the latest piece of tech and gadget that comes out. but sometimes streamlining production and making them cheaper and affordable isn't always the best way to go, especially when craftsmanship and quality is sacrificed.

you can call me old-fashioned, but i like this kinda stuff.

and so it begins...

now with every invitation, it's a reminder of how old i'm getting.
that's... aw... fully... awe...some!

ninja cat!

i don't normally like cats, but this just made my day.

9/19/08 lunch

i woke up around 11:30 am today (unemployed life) and i was looking for food. i thought about going to mcdonalds for a big mac, but i decided to go grocery shopping instead, and came out with $50 worth of stuff from ralphs.

so this is what i made for myself... another sandwich, i'm sorry if you're tired of looking at my sandwiches.

sliced turkey+ham+roasted pork+cheese between two slices of grilled bread.

and a bottle of "cherry pomegranate power"
(cherries+pomegranate+apples+banana+red grapes)

i like my juice like my women... naked.

picasso

i've been meaning to blog about this for a while but never got around to it... until now.

this was way back, around the end of july, when i visited vegas to watch LOVE.
while there i dined at bellagio 's 5 star restaurant, picasso.

it's not like any other restaurant i've ever been too, and probably one of the most expensive ones i've been too.

the walls are decorated with authentic picasso paintings and other forms of his art.

and you're greeted with fresh flowers arrangements. (this was just the centerpiece for the table, there was an extravagant display of flowers at the entrance.)

the restaurant is facing bellagio's fountain show, so you get to dine and watch the show but from the opposite side of the street view. seats lined at the windows are booked in months in advance.

the restaurant was pretty spread out and it never really got loud.
the service was impeccable.
there's at least 12 people (servers/busboys) walking around at all times and they only serve you on your right side.
i even got my own decanter just for my ginger ale for my moscow mule.

they personally walk you to the restrooms when you ask where they are located.


yeah... i even took pictures of the restrooms. there were gold trimmings everywhere, and nice rolled up towels available for you instead of paper towels, and minus that guy who watches you piss and hands you towels expecting tips.

when you get back to your seat you find your napkin has been replaced by a new one instead of someone just folding your original one.

logo molded butter

ok enough about the service ambiance and decor. now to the food.

then 5 courses. at least i think it was 5. this is what happens when you don't blog right away. oh and they replace your silverware after each course with fresh ones.

mmm i don't remember what it was but it was compliments of the chef. it was pretty good, and you're supposed to drink what in that cup like an espresso. tasted nothing like an espresso, but it had an interesting taste.

first course: Maine Lobster Salad
with Apple-Champagne Vinaigrette

Sautéed "A" Steak of Foie Gras
with Olsen Cherries, Crushed Almonds and Baltos Cinnamon Reduction

i don't remember what this is but it resembles a fish, see the tail and head?

this was the halibut

there was a
Pan Seared Sea Scallops
with Potato Mousseline, Crispy Leeks and Jus de Veau
but i don't have a pic of it.
but i do i remember the potato mousseline was really tasty.

Roasted Aged Lamb Chop
with Rosemary Potatoes and Au Jus

this was not the dessert but post dessert. i don't have a pic of the main dessert.

this was the parting gift. there were cookies inside, and the box was pretty fancy. it even had a magnetic clasp.

it took a few hours to complete the entire meal, but it was a memorable one.