Fast Food Corner

KFC has been promoting their new "Doublicious" sandwich recently ... I thought it was going to be the same thing as the "Double Down," only with buns (hey-yo!), but it's entirely different. According to the KFC website, "he latest sandwich from KFC combines a savory boneless chicken filet with a sweet Hawaiian Bread bun for a one-of-a-kind taste combination. Available in both Original Recipe and Grilled!"

I, of course, tried the more "fast-foody" type - the original recipe chicken, and to my surprise, it was very, very good. I didn't think I'd like the sweet taste, but it works. The roll is very good for this sandwich - it's not flimsy, and like the ad says, it does have a sweet taste to it. I believe there's also a sweet sauce on the chicken as well ... not to mention the ultimate sandwich topper ... bacon!

I was very impressed ... and heck, I'm even coming around on their fries a little ... maybe it was because of the sandwich!

Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's Weekly Homework Assignment! This week, I chose the following prompt - Link up and show us something you’ve created for Halloween, anything qualifies…costumes, recipes, crafts, party invites, treats, decorations etc.

I LOVE Halloween - always have. I've dressed up as some pretty creative people (I think) - Mick Jagger, Warren from There's Something About Mary, The Nittany Lion, John Madden ... yup, I stray from mainstream a little.

One of my favorite costumes was the Ric Flair costume the wife and I made (before we were married). It took us about a month to get it all put together, but it was worth it. There's something to be said about dressing up as the greatest professional wrestler in the history of the "sport." I'm just not sure what that "something" is.

This year, I am dressing up as Allen from "The Hangover." I can't wait to share those pics!

Wacky News Stories ...

Great, time to start raking leaves ...

1. On some spooked cities banning teenage trick-or-treating:
"Teenage trick-or-treating?!?!?!? I'm going to go out on a limb and guess these kids will have trouble finding a prom date."
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wirestory?id=11949660&page=2

2. On the possibility that come Nov. 3, California could become the first state to allow legal, regulated, taxed marijuana;
"Dude ..."
http://www.mercurynews.com/elections/ci_16408972?nclick_check=1

3. On Virginia possibly raising the speed limit to 70 on some highways:
"Oh man, somebody better tell Sammy Hagar he needs to update his song!"
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=600&sid=2086387

4. On a story that on October 23, the Earth will be 6014 years old:
"Dinosaurs are rolling over in their tar-pit graves ..."
http://www.rationalskepticism.org/news-politics/october-23-earth-will-be-6014-years-old-t11986.html">http://www.rationalskepticism.org/news-politics/october-23-earth-will-be-6014-years-old-t11986.html

5. On a hungry showjumper causing chaos after he led his horses to a Liverpool McDonald’s drive-thru:
"I just love it when a guy decides to 'horse-around!'"
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/10/23/showjumper-leads-horses-on-foot-through-liverpool-mcdonalds-drive-thru-for-late-night-snack-100252-27529107/

Dope or Nope

Lawn Darts ... at one time, they were probably a more popular back-yard picnic game than horse-shoes and badminton. Now? Well, they are illegal in the United States, because they can be used like weapons (and apparently, have been in the past).

I remember being a kid and watching my parents and their friends play lawn darts. Apparently, my parents were very responsible, as they didn't let the little kids play.

So, what are your thoughts about lawn darts? Dope, or Nope? Are lawn darts a cool backyard game, or are they potential dangerous weapons?

80's Corner

Nerds are an interesting topic. First, it seems as if they have been thrust into the public eye once again with a few recent highly-publicized high school and college student suicides. Makes you wonder if that saying "Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is, in fact true. Words are powerful and sometimes can be a more dangerous weapon than guns and knives.

The movie, Revenge of the Nerds, in the mid 1980's addressed the "nerd vs. bully" conflict, and tried to paint nerds in a positive light - even hinting that all of us have a little "nerd" in us. The movie "documented" the strife nerds have with bullies, and the obstacles they have to overcome. The movie hints that nerds have the ability to use their brains to overcome these bullies.

Most of all, the movie shows the nerds as "cool," enjoying alcohol, drugs, and even ladies. Most important of all, the movie is funny, and holds up surprisingly well even to this day (the same can't be said for the other Revenge of the Nerds sequels).

Song of the Week

You've probably heard a song by the band "The Heavy" without even knowing it. The song - "How You Like Me Now" was on a recent Kia Sorrento commercial ... and folks, the song kicks ass! It sounds like a sort of a James Brown type of "Motown-ie" number, complete with a strong horn back-bone.

Even the lead singer tries to mimic James Brown at times. The chorus itself is addicting, repeating "How You Like Me Now," starting off with a whisper and gradually moving to a roar.

A very good homage to James Brown, as well as a refreshingly "newer" sound (than that overplayed Emo crap).

Fast Food Corner

A few months ago. Chick Fil-A started serving the Spicy Chicken sandwich, and it was good ... real good. It was similar to their original chicken sandwich - same roll, same pickle, but spicy. Now, Chick Fil-A has the Spicy Chicken deluxe, which is probably similar to the grilled chicken deluxe sandwich they serve - similar roll, tomato, and lettuce. But, Chick Fil-A has added a slice of pepper-jack cheese ... and folks, this sandwich is SPICY. My nose is still running, and I had the sandwich more than 15 minutes ago ... translation - I love it!

In my opinion, it's better than the regular spicy chicken sandwich because it fills you up more (thanks to the lettuce and tomato). I think that was probably the only thing I didn't like about the spicy chicken sandwich - it didn't fill me up enough.

Thumbs up from me! I love the expanded menu at Chick Fil-A!

Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's Weekly Homework Assignment. This week, I chose the following prompt - It was SUCH a big deal…write about a fight you got into that you were passionate about then, but that seems silly now.

I was a junior in high school, and really wanted to go out with this girl ... problem was that I didn't have the balls to ask her out. My best friend at the time said he would talk to her for me, and get the ball rolling. As it turns out, he successfully did get the ball rolling ... for him. Yep, as it turns out, he ended up dating said girl.

I was VERY pissed off. How could my best friend do this to me? He knew how I felt about her, but that didn't stop him. All I could do was point fingers of blame at him. The two of us didn't talk to each other for more than three years. I stewed, and stewed about the situation the entire time, refusing to put any blame upon myself.

A couple of things I should've realized at the time. First, it was my fault that I didn't have the balls to ask the girl out ... was it a crummy thing that my friend did? Sure was - but, I would've never been in that position had I taken the initiative.

Second, a girl is never a good enough reason to end a friendship. This girl certainly wasn't, and I was too blinded by rage to figure that out. I probably should've had a more candid talk with my friend about the entire situation. Not sure if it would've salvaged the friendship, but at the very least, I probably would've been able to sleep better at night over the situation.

I wasted three years of rage over this situation, which at the time seemed important enough. The two of us ended up burying the hatchet, and now remain good friends, which goes to show you just how stupid the situation was in the first place.

Wacky News Stories

Just wanted to give a quick shout-out to those Chilean miners!

1. On an alcohol-laced energy drink equivalent to at least three beers, a can of Red Bull and a shot of espresso having prompted a New Jersey college
to ban the drink after nearly two dozen students were hospitalized for alcohol intoxication:
"All you need is a the BK Breakfast, and your heart would probably shatter."
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/10/15/college-students-hospitalized-downing-alcoholic-energy-drink/

2. On a new Halloween treat - Candied bacon:
"Homer Simpson just wet his pants..."
http://www.salon.com/food/eyewitness_cook/index.html?story=/food/francis_lam/2010/10/15/candied_bacon

3. On "Spider Goats" grazing on the side of a dam:
"Well, that ain't too 'baaaad.' In fact, it's 'dam' impressive!"
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3181083/Crazy-animals-climb-160ft-dam.html

4. On a Shar Pei having a facelift so it could see:
"Cher and Joan Rivers were said to be extremely jealous ..."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1320907/Pedigree-dog-extreme-facelift-allows-open-eyes-time.html

5. On a woman who tripled her trouble when she stole a doughnut from someone's truck, peed in a parking lot and offered to perform a sex act on an officer for money:
"Poor Lindsay Lohan .... she hasn't found the bottom yet."
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/bizarre&id=7725845

Dope or Nope ...

Mustaches. There are so many different kinds. Regular mustadches, porn mustaches, handlebar mustaches ... heck, Michael Jordan is even trying to bring back the Hitler mustache.

I've never really grown a mustache before. I've had goatees for short spurts in my life, but that's about it. I think when I retire (which is still many years away), I might grow a handlebar mustache. I've seen lots of old Germans at the club with them, and they just look cool to me.

So, what are your thoughts? Mustaches - dope or nope?

80's Corner

Remember Jolt Cola? It was probably the original "energy drink," and was really just highly caffeinated cola. I remember seeing this at the local 7-11, and thinking to myself that if I drank that cola, my heart would probably explode.

I never drank it, and heard it was almost unbearably sweet. But, man did the logo look cool!

Song of the Week ...

The Benders are an Indie rock band from California, and have shown some modest success in a short period of time - they released their debut album in 2008, and have toured with some pretty good bands like The Kooks, and Death Cab for Cutie.

They are on album number 2, called the Big Echo, and from what I've heard so far, I like. One song that's piqued my interest is titled "All Day Day Light," having a simple beat, reminding me of the 1980's, with basic accompanying bass and guitar. The chorus almost hearkens back to the early 1960's ... and I've found you'll have a hard time getting the chorus out of your mind.

Sometimes simple is good. In this case, it's great.

Fast Food Corner

I just saw this story on one of our local news stations regarding fast food breakfasts that are healthy, and ones to avoid - http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/health&id=7719260.

All I can say is, the ones that are "healthy" are ones I'd probably never eat - almost all of them include ham (if there is any meat at all). Or there are breakfast items that you'd probably never order at a fast food restaurant - like the McDonald's Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, with just 130 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat. Really? Would I go to McDonalds for a Yogurt Parfait? Would I go anywhere for a yogurt parfait?

I'm OK with trying a breakfast wrap, and Dunkin Donuts seems to have a good one - ham, egg, and cheese Wake Up Wrap, with just 200 calories and 4.5 grams of saturated fat. Unfortunately, I hate ham. Subway has some good ones that are low in calories, but again, all with ham. Seriously, when did ham become healthy?

When I go out for breakfast, I don't want to be bored. I can be bored at home eating cereal.

Wacky News Stories

Keep it up, Phils!

1. On New York's "Naked Cowboy" trying to get some "exposure" in his presidential run:
"I had no idea Spitzer had that nickname!"
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/bizarre&id=7711334

2. On South Africa's famous smoking chimp passing away:
"I had no idea DeKlerk had that nickname!"
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/bizarre&id=7710761

3. On a man being arrested for having a pillow fight with his wife:
"Thank goodness they didn't grill any marshmallows!"
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/pillow-33711-husband-wife.html

4. On pygmy goats getting high grazing on magic mushrooms:
"When asked how they felt the next morning, the goats responded with a resounding 'baa-aaad!'"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1319228/Pygmy-goats-high-grazing-magic-mushrooms.html

5. On a man peeling a $1 million USD Monopoly Game sticker at McDonalds - then being denied his prize due to supposed "typo" on the website:
"Somebody get Mayor McCheese on the case!"

Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's Weekly Homework Assignment! This week, I chose the following prompt: ... and then I realized it was all a dream.

I've had several dreams in recent years about winning money at the casino ... so much money, in fact, that I had to carry it around in a trash can (weird, I guess ... but it is a dream). The funny thing is I hardly ever go to the casino, and certainly don't play the big time games that could win me that kind of money. Yet, I still have these dreams.

Usually, the dreams revolve around playing the Wheel of Fortune slot machine ... most of the time, in my dreams, I have trouble finding said slot machines, and I spend most of my dream perusing the casino in search of them. Once I find them, I win a ton. And usually, I have to place this money in a trash can and carry it (or drag it) around the casino floor.

Maybe somebody is trying to tell me something?

Song of the Week ...

Once upon a time, Slash was part of an up-and-coming rock and roll band. Guns and Roses busted on the scene in the late 1980's with Appetite for Destruction - one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock music. They followed that up with a couple of other good albums, but in-fighting, and Axl Rose's manic-depressive, and psychologically unstable personality ripped the band apart, just as they were hitting their prime.

Slash has continued to do some really good music - first with his "Snake-pit," followed by Velvet Revolver, and now his solo project, featuring artists like Ozzie Osbourne, Fergie, and Chris Cornell. The album is quite good - at times hard rocking, and at other times surprisingly soft.

The Chris Cornell song called "Promise," certainly has some Cornell influences, but his voice is quite mellow in it - definitely more bluesy than "rockin'" and not quite as depressing as many of Cornell's songs are.

Slash's guitar work is excellent as usual, however it is not as "manic" as many of his lead guitar work is - Slash stretches with more of an authentic bluesy guitar sound ... which is probably why I really like this song.

Dope or Nope ...

Every alarm clock seems to have a snooze alarm. This allows the sleepy to get about 10 more minutes of shut-eye at a time ... Unfortunately, some people are habitual snooze alarm hitters. I had a college roommate who had a rock-and-roll chicken alarm clock ... which, unfortunately had a snooze button. My college roommate was a chronic snooze alarm abuser ... hitting the snooze button maybe 3 or 4 times a morning on average. He was an engineering student, so that meant he had early morning classes. Unfortunately for me, my roommate cared little that I didn't have a class until 10:00, and that I was still trying to sleep.

I guess that's why I hate the snooze alarm. I NEVER use it. The second the alarm rings, I'm up and out of bed, on my way to the shower. 10 extra minutes of sleep is not an enticing enough of a reason to hit the snooze button.

What about you? Do you like the snooze button?

80's Corner

Remeber Teddy Ruxpin? He was a teddy bear, but not just any teddybear. Ruxpin was a "mechanical" talking teddy bear. He would read stories with the help of a tape recorder built into his back. The bear would move his mouth and eyes as he "read" the story.

Teddy Ruxpin was a big seller in the 1980's, and I believe Ruxpin even had his own cartoon show.

Fast Food Corner

Remember a time in the 1980's when Burger King was trying to compete with McDonald's Chicken McNuggets? Burger King introduced their Chicken Tenders and basically promoted it as being made with real chicken breast, not the processed kind that McDonalds uses in its Chicken McNuggets. The tenders were all shaped differently, thus "proving" they were made with real chicken breast.

What happened to that promotion? Not sure if you've had a Burger King chicken tender in the past few years, but now they are shaped like King's crowns ... so much for the "real looking" strips. I guess people don't care what their chicken nugget or tender looks like or what it's made of, as long as it tastes good, right?

Fast Food Corner

I apologize to those fans who were anticipating my Fast Food Corner this past Saturday ... I was preoccupied with baby stuff (seriously, I was!). Anyway - I figured I'd post on Friday to appease your appetite (no pun intended).

French Fries seems to be the best side to a sandwich ... and in most cases, the only side offered. Burger King has been offering onion rings for years ... and folks, they are spectacular (which is a good thing, because BK's fries are awful). In fact, at this point, I'd much prefer the BK onion rings to their fries with any of my sandwiches purchased at said restaurant. They are the perfect mix of onions, bread crumbs, and grease.

One would think that other fast food restaurants would offer sides like this. Actually, Arby's does to an extent - with their jalepeno poppers and mozzarella sticks. McDonalds doesn't ... but with those fries, why would they need to.

Oh, and speaking of McDonalds, I think my blog worked in getting the word out! All McDonalds in my area are now once again offering the two cheeseburger value meal! Yee-haw! In fact, I think I'm going to go out and get it for lunch today!

Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's Weekly Homework Assignment! This week, I chose the following prompt: Describe a job you absolutely would never want to do.

There are a bunch of jobs I'd never want to do, but one I keep thinking about is being a waiter, waitress, or bartender at a restaurant/bar on a really busy night. I remember being a college student, and going to our hangouts on certain nights. I've seen how absolutely crazy a bar/restaurant can get, and how some customers can be absolutely ridiculous. A good bartender/waiter/waitress can keep his/her cool throughout an entire night. I'm not sure I could do something like that consistently.

On a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night in some of those college bars/restaurants, the place seems to be packed from 5:00 until 2:00 - some of those waiters/waitresses/bartenders are on duty that entire time. If I had to "be on" that entire time, I think that at some point I'd probably snap from all of that constant pressure. I'm sure there are some people who can thrive in situations like this, and I've seen bartenders/waiters/waitresses who never seem fazed by the pressure/stress. And I'm also sure that the tips for a night like this make it absolutely worthwhile. But, man, I can't see myself as someone who could do this.

Wacky News Stories

Fantasy football team 0-3. Penn State football not doing so well ... thank goodness for the Phillies!


1. On a sex phone line listed on Chad Ochocinco's cereal:
"Gives a whole new meaning to the 'big O.'"
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5632476

2. On the death of Tony Curtis.
"As long as Stony Curtis from Bedrock is still alive ..."
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/30/tony.curtis.obituary/index.html?hpt=T1

3. On Tour de France cycling winner Alberto Contador blaming positive dope test on bad meat:
"That's like Lindsay Lohan blaming the failed drug test on bad sperm."
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/09/30/cycling.alberto.contador.banned/index.html?hpt=T2

4. On Fisher-Price recalling millions of toys because they are dangerous:
"Guess I might want to return the 'His First Machine Gun' toy I bought last week ..."
http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/09/30/fisher.price.recalls/index.html?hpt=T2

5. On LeBron James' manager saying he believes race played a factor in how the two-time reigning NBA MVP's decision to join the Miami Heat was covered this summer:
"It probably didn't play as large of a role as Lebron's stupidity."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/09/30/james.decision.race.ap/index.html?eref=sihp

Dope or Nope ...

John Stewart and Steven Colbert are "launching" an anti-extremist political campaign ... aimed at the "70%" who are not extremists. Didn't know your thoughts on this. Are you offended that they are making a mockery of our political parties? Are you excited that somebody finally is addressing the ridiculous extremism going on in this country? Do you feel like John and Steven are finally giving you a voice? Whaddup?

Personally, I love this. I agree with some aspects of both sides - I think we probably put too much money in government. But, I fear that if we reduce government, corporations will become even more powerful. There are other issues, obviously - the pro-life vs. pro-choice movement has always been a hot-button topic, and the environment is big, not to mention the death penalty, and foreign affairs. Anyway, all we see on TV is mud-slinging, and no solutions.

So, to really bring out the fact that both parties are acting like children is a good thing ... in my mind, at least.

80's Corner

The Space Shuttle Challenger explosion ... probably everybody who was alive back then remembers where they were. I remember explicitly - I was in the lobby hanging with some buddies during lunch. My homeroom teacher burst out of the teachers lounge screaming and crying. We had no idea what the problem was - we thought it was a joke at first.

When we got back to the room, we spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV -watching the updates, and trying to figure out what happened and why. I think we all lost some innocence that day (we thought nothing could go wrong with the space shuttle and space exploration ... heck, there'd been so many shuttle launches, that we became numb to it).

Song of the Week ...

According to Wikipedia, "The Takeover UK is an American rock group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formed in mid-2004, the band released its first EP, It's All Happening in July 2008, and its first full-length album, Running With the Wasters, in March 2009, both for Rykodisc."

Funny how they use the "UK" in the title, considering they are American. Their hit song, "Ah, La La" was featured on the Hills (not that I'm watching The Hills), but please don't get the idea that this band is a "boy band." The sound is very similar to bigger bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand.

Ah La La has a catchy chorus, which ... surprise, surprise, consists of the words, "Ah La La," and has a surprisingly good guitar solo smack in the middle.