I fucking hate winter. Just making that clear right off the bat.
Anyway, I'm bored again, so it's time for another dose of favorite things. No big preamble this time, since I'll be using basically the same format as my last topic (three categories of note instead of four this time, each with two favorite things that I'm gonna talk about).
Category The Fifth: Food
Peppermint Bark
Bad for the teeth, good for… Well, it's honestly pretty shitty for you, but DAMN does it taste good.
Peppermint Bark. Ah, how I long for thee…
For those who are unaware, Peppermint Bark is the manna of heaven, the divine confection of God himself. It's essentially a layer of white chocolate atop a layer of milk chocolate, topped with bits of crushed candy canes. It fucks up your teeth if you're not careful where you bite (I would know), but it's so worth it when you sink your mandibles into the chocolate proper. Astonishing… scintillating… aromatic… orgasmic… Words cannot describe the sensation.
Oh, and remember, this is my blog. If you disagree with me, I will not hesitate to give you a stern talking-to. Oh, very stern indeed. Trembling now, huh?
But enough of my intimidation tactics. Like all desirable things, Peppermint Bark has its downsides. Aside from the obvious "your dentist will hate you for eating this" drawback, it's only commercially available around the Christmas season, at Williams-Sonoma stores. And it's fucking RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE! The outlets vary their prices (it's also different in their catalog), but it can range from $20 to $26 for a single box (14.5 to 18.5 euros)! I mean, what the hell, right? Granted, the box is packed with a lot of the good stuff, but that's inexcusable business practice! (Then again, I buy it, so I'm not exactly one to talk.)
Fortunately, the aspiring confectionist can make their own Peppermint Bark at home. From my experience, though, homemade Bark isn't as delectable as the Williams-Sonoma stuff. Gotta hand it to them: that company may be run by sadistic evil bastards, but they can sure make chocolate well. If you're up for it, though, here's one of the many various recipes for its production:
(Keep in mind that all of my info on the ol' PB is from an American standpoint. I do not know what the situation is like internationally, because being an American gives me carte blanche to be ignorant as well. I'd have to do some research to see if you fellas overseas have access, unless one of you would be so kind as to say whether or not you've heard of / had access to this product. That'd be swell!)
Cheez-Its™
Don't you DARE dispute me on this one. DON'T YOU THINK ABOUT IT.
I'm very fussy when it comes to snack crackers! So… Did you come visit to hear about my snack crackers?
{YES} <--- {NO}
Good! Then listen up!
My favorite CHEEZ-ITS… It… cute… lovely… smart… plus… amazing… you think so?… oh yes… it… stunning… kindly… love it! Hug it… when… sleeping… warm and cuddly… spectacular… ravishing… … Oops! Look at the time! I kept you too long! Thanks for hearing me out! I want you to have this!
(Obtained Bike Voucher!)
There's not much else to say about my glorious Cheez-Its. All I can provide further is that if Cheez-Its were a woman, I would do unspeakable things to her. Chances are, if you've tried them, you think the same way. Maybe.
ONLY problem with Cheez-Its is that if you angle a cracker incorrectly when popping it into your mouth, the corners sometimes scrape against your palate, not unlike the phenomenon that occurs with Cap'n Crunch cereal. Respect basic rules of geometry, and your mouth will be a happier, cheesier place.
… God, that last line sounded so completely perverted, now that I look at it again. Well, whatever.
Category The Sixth: Places
The Cayman Islands
My lord, such a beautiful place! The Caribbean islanders sure know how to market their tourism industry.
About a year ago, for American Thanksgiving, my family and I vacationed on the Cayman Islands for a week. Lemme tell you, there's nowhere else I'd rather have as a "home-away-from-home" kinda deal. It's just marvelous.
… Until you realize that you're required to drive on the left side of the road. That screwed us up so badly… barely 50 feet away from the airport, and we almost crashed our rental car. Stop laughing, world. Americans drive different. =(
But yeah, the place is incredible! Warm weather all day, every day (even the rain is warm; could use some of that here in the States), glittering beaches, serene coral reefs, giant enemy crabs, sandbars for swimming with stingrays…
Not quite that big, but they were pretty sizable. And there were thousands dozens of them! Apparently, an intrepid colony of crabs decided to ditch the ocean and chill in the hotel's swimming pool. It was like watching a gladiator tournament, since all the crabs were at the bottom of the pool, vying for the adoration of the lady crabs. One unlucky critter even got his main grabby claw thing ripped off when he got gangbanged by seven or so other crabs. We didn't quite reach the point of placing bets on the winners, but it was entertaining.
Don't get the idea that the Cayman Islands are a crustacean-infested shithole, though. If I didn't make myself clear in my glowing reviews, it's an amazing place to visit. If you have the chance, and finances permit, I recommend you go at least once.
Oh, and there's iguanas. That's pretty sweet, too.
Hell
Hell, Michigan, that is. Yep, it exists.
I find it deliciously ironic that the town of Hell is located in the frigid realm of Michigan. Okay, it's not THAT cold, but still.
What happens in Hell stays in Hell, so I'll just link the town's website to confirm its existence.
Unfortunately for this valiant soldier, seventy four and-a-half Viet Cong are about to wreck that shit.
I saw Saving Private Ryan for the first time about a month ago, and I gotta say, I don't see why everyone loves it so much. To me, at least, Platoon is the better movie. Don't get me wrong, both are great films in their own right, but I feel the Vietnam movie better portrayed the soldiers trying to adapt to their surroundings in a foreign, hostile land. SPR had powerful visuals, I won't deny that, but the soldiers depicted in that movie are just walking along to find Ryan. The sense of camaraderie is there, but where is the portrayal of a soldier's life in the middle of enemy territory? There's so much potential in that sense that I liked in Platoon. Granted, war movies tend to be linear to begin with, but that doesn't excuse the -- The remainder of this abhorrently biased review has been deleted.
Well, yeah, there's bias in my choice. But Platoon is still one of my favorite movies of all time. Worth a view if you enjoy the war genre.
The Italian Job
You so wish you could do this, don't you.
I'll be the first to admit that I haven't seen many movies… in fact, besides seeing The Expendables in August (which sucked, by the way), the last time I've been to the movie theater was in 2005 or so. Yeah. Introversion FTW.
As a result, I don't have too much knowledge of great movies. Therefore, this one is a bit of a placeholder for if/when I see another truly great movie. The modern incarnation of The Italian Job Is still good, though; who DOESN'T want to drive Mini-Coopers through mansions and blow shit up with satchel charges?
I'd like to take this opportunity to ask of you, the reader, to recommend some good movies you've seen. However, if you EVEN FUCKING DARE TO MENTION AVATAR, I will ban you from my blogs, because that horseshit film got by on special effects and naked blue women alone. + Show Spoiler +
Or I might just nerdrage. Depends on my mood.
You've been warned. Don't do it. =O
And that's all for this installment. Hope you enjoyed reading. =P
Could you tell me more about the visit to that Caribbean Island? Was it a large tourist spot? Was it crowded when you got there? How were the locals there? Was the water as clear as shown in the picture? Man I would LOVE to go to a place like that
Hmm good movies. I recommend The Last Samurai and Fearless. Two of my favorite lesser known movies. Also Peppermint bark is bleh. White chocolate is disgusting and peppermints are meh. Normally I wouldnt comment on this but you said I would get a stern talking to that would leave me trembling so I am looking forward to it.
On November 03 2010 09:59 lastmotion wrote: I agree Avatar was crap
Could you tell me more about the visit to that Caribbean Island? Was it a large tourist spot? Was it crowded when you got there? How were the locals there? Was the water as clear as shown in the picture? Man I would LOVE to go to a place like that
I don't recall the exact island I went to, but the place we stayed at was relatively uncrowded. Down at the marina where all the shops were, there was a flood of people, but where I stayed, it was nice and peaceful.
The locals were courteous and helpful, but I imagine that's because their island's economy thrives on them supporting tourism, so it's more of them being pressured than genuine politeness. (My stepdad is apparently a bit racist, though, because when we went shopping for groceries, he was notably suspicious and talked in semi-hushed tones. He said later it was because of the possibility of theft, since my family is pretty well-off, but I think he just doesn't like black people. -.-)
Surprisingly, yes, the water IS that clear. We went on a boat trip to a sandbar about two miles off the coast, where we and like 50 other people got to swim with stingrays and stuff. Jesus, those things are creepy and cool at the same time. After that, we explored a coral reef that was about 500 feet away, and I noticed just how pristine the water was. Hell, the tourism board can take a photo of any part of the islands they want, and it'll be beautiful enough to get people to go there. Truly remarkable.
On November 03 2010 10:01 Issor wrote: avatar fanboy ramblings
BAND.
>_>
Although I approve of your taste for Peppermint Bark.
On November 03 2010 10:07 ragingfungus wrote: Hmm good movies. I recommend The Last Samurai and Fearless. Two of my favorite lesser known movies.
I've heard of The Last Samurai, but not Fearless. I'll check those two movies out when I have time. Thanks for the suggestions. =)
Also Peppermint bark is bleh. White chocolate is disgusting and peppermints are meh. Normally I wouldnt comment on this but you said I would get a stern talking to that would leave me trembling so I am looking forward to it.
You are a terrible person and I hope your grandmother dies in a housefire.
My favorite CHEEZ-ITS… It… cute… lovely… smart… plus… amazing… you think so?… oh yes… it… stunning… kindly… love it! Hug it… when… sleeping… warm and cuddly… spectacular… ravishing… … Oops! Look at the time! I kept you too long! Thanks for hearing me out! I want you to have this!
(Obtained Bike Voucher!)
Hmm I remember GSC where I just get a rare candy instead ;;
I'd recommend Bad Guy instead of Old Boy. Everyone knows Old Boy and its overrated IMO. Bad Guy is where its at, no other movie has a mobile ho truckmobile. In fact, on my first date with my gf of 3.5 years we watched Bad Guy.
On November 03 2010 12:43 Comeh wrote: Also, this thread title just reminds me of ejaculations.
wat
All of the blog titles in this series will be snippets of lyrics from "My Favorite Things". There's nothing sexual about this. X_x
Oh come on, we know all about the sexual implications and alliterations in the song "My Favorite Things". If they weren't intended, then they at least were subconscious.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes Silver white winters that melt into springs These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad
Pardon my inability to notice sexual innuendo and allegories, but I'd like to know what parts of the song match up to ejaculations, and what parts refer to dicks and vaginas or whatever. Do tell.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes Silver white winters that melt into springs These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad
Pardon my inability to notice sexual innuendo and allegories, but I'd like to know what parts of the song match up to ejaculations, and what parts refer to dicks and vaginas or whatever. Do tell.
Hahahahahaha
I actually haven't tried peppermint bark yet o_o sounds absolutely delicious though.... maybe I'll try making some with my friend over the christmas holiday hehehe
1 devilsfood chocolate cake, cut into 1 to 1.5 inch/2.5 to 4 cm cubes. Refrigerate and soak overnight in Mint Chocolate baileys (I prefer to use a lot of it, 13 ounces/375 ml is about as much as can possibly be used however, and that's generally what I'll use).
Form trifle using chocolate pudding (instant stuff tastes like crap, it's better to make a more traditional pudding, except add just a bit of extra liquid to make it easier to assemble/serve, and it's still so easy to make), the chocolate cake, and whipped cream (with crushed peppermint candy and some green food colouring lightly swirled in).
So fucking simple (and next to impossible to screw up). So fucking good. And it makes a shitload, to keep everyone happy. To add a bit of a christmas feel to it, simply add some red food colouring as well as green to the whipped cream, and use crushed candycanes instead of peppermint candy.
It works perfect for any kind of pot-luck get together in the wintertime (or any time of year, but especially winter). Of course, you end up showing up with a lot more shit than most people bring, however, that's a good thing. Showing off a bit isn't exactly a bad thing, especially when a lot of people can appreciate it. It's actually helped me get laid before lol.
Oh, and if you liked Italian Job, Ocean's 11 and the sequels to both movies (I do believe Italian Job has sequels? I could be wrong...) are enjoyable, if not necessarily of the same caliber.
EDIT: Oh dang, this is a blog series? I blew my load way too fast.