tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7469982032689530662024-03-07T22:44:29.703-08:00Making Pennies.Because someone's got to make cents around here.MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-2551496068592024682017-06-02T14:49:00.000-07:002017-06-02T14:50:15.749-07:00Issues = Orinoco FlowI thought I was done with this blog. I was wrong.<br />
<br />
Has anyone heard that pop song, "Issues" by Julia Michaels? It legit evokes "Orinoco Flow" by Enya.<br />
<br />
I mean, obviously it will never match up with the 1988 classic that got the whole world singing weird, new-age-y Irish music, but it's heartening (?) to see that Enya is still inspiring new artists. <br />
<br />
Listen for yourself:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Ke4480MicU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LTrk4X9ACtw" width="560"></iframe><br />MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-39029942640541240182015-11-16T18:00:00.001-08:002016-02-23T20:42:33.455-08:00Koi Asian Cuisine: Lunchtime Munchtime<a href="https://www.zomato.com/new-orleans/kois-asian-cuisine-slidell">Koi Asian Cuisine</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">12046 Cherry Hill Rd, Silver Spring</span><br />
5.5/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
Koi Asian Cuisine is a new Asian restaurant in Silver Spring. By Asian, I mean many types of Asian: Chinese, Japanese, and Thai. Also, American-style seafood, for that one white friend who refuses to eat even Chinese food (does such a person exist? I'm not sure).<br />
<br />
A group of about ten of my work colleagues and I decided to try it out one day for lunch. The interior is clearly brand new and spacious with maybe that early 00s idea of modern--lots of granite, glass, and neon. I will say you can easily get a large table if you need to hold a work event, and parking is plentiful. Although maybe it won't be easy forever; I'm sure FDA-ers will find out about it eventually. We were seated in a separate party room that could probably hold about 20ish people. The room was bright with several external windows, and also had interior windows into the main dining room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7WQjt3NQBY/VkqGd_cHhpI/AAAAAAAABXo/JJ2pqYzpfHw/s1600/KoiAsianInterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7WQjt3NQBY/VkqGd_cHhpI/AAAAAAAABXo/JJ2pqYzpfHw/s640/KoiAsianInterior.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the interior dining room from private party room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The lunch specials ranged from General Tso's Chicken ($8.50) to Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box ($11). The Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box (below) featured a mixed greens salad dressed with a ginger vinaigrette, rice, teriyaki chicken with broccoli and onions, and three pieces of California roll.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The food was unremarkable. Surely better than your standard Kaiser Permanente cafeteria fare, but certainly not as good as Full Key Restaurant (Chinese), also nearby. Perhaps Koi Asian bit off more types of food than it is capable of making deliciously.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYVRfAnGTrU/VkqGeN5potI/AAAAAAAABX4/rjBuOhm_r_o/s1600/KoiAsian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYVRfAnGTrU/VkqGeN5potI/AAAAAAAABX4/rjBuOhm_r_o/s640/KoiAsian.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teriyaki Chicken Lunch Bento Box ($11)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Service was extremely attentive. There were some difficulties with charging several credit cards at once, but I will chalk that up to the restaurant being new and us being a large party.<br />
<br />
Right now, Koi Asian Cuisine is kinda like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUPH5OhXC1A">Babu's original restaurant in Seinfeld</a>: too many kinds of food, easy to get a seat, and super attentive service.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/new-orleans/kois-asian-cuisine-slidell" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Koi's Asian Cuisine, Slidell and other Restaurants in New Orleans"><img alt="Koi's Asian Cuisine Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17246819/minilogo" style="border: none; height: 15px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-76248801070223651342015-09-20T19:29:00.000-07:002015-09-22T05:46:23.659-07:00Brunch at 8407 kb<a href="https://www.zomato.com/washington-dc/8407-kitchen-bar-silver-spring">8407 Kitchen Bar </a>(reviewing their brunch only)<br />
Wayne & Ramsey Ave, Silver Spring<br />
6.5/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
I've invited guests to brunch at 8407 Kitchen Bar three separate times. "Fancy" brunch food that's not fancily expensive; a trendy, hipsterish atmosphere including bright windows/a brick interior; and a location steps from the metro are all great assets for meeting up with friends for brunch. <br />
<br />
Brunch at 8407 starts off with mini muffins (one per person). Mini muffins always make me happy because they remind me of my days in elementary school when I'd make tiny confections in my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpPp-hjzIUA">Easy Bake Oven</a>. The deviled eggs appetizer--featuring 3 to 4 deviled egg halves garnished with bacon and chives--is pretty good, and is sometimes accompanied with a side of beets.<br />
<br />
Solid entree choices are the steak and eggs, the crab benedict, and the brioche french toast. The steak & eggs ($14 served with roasted potatoes), comes with a fairly large steak that will satisfy the "go big or don't brunch" customer (#YOLO). The portions on the benedicts--crab benedict ($15 served with roasted potatoes) included-- are much smaller, so plan to get an appetizer if you come hungry. The brioche french toast ($11 served with berries) is topped with a pouf of sugary whipped butter that tastes surprisingly like a cinnabon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYdOZMuWSEs/Vf9cuB9TNyI/AAAAAAAABVs/F7VtE8HT3Jo/s1600/photo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYdOZMuWSEs/Vf9cuB9TNyI/AAAAAAAABVs/F7VtE8HT3Jo/s400/photo12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brioche French toast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, each time I've gone to 8407, the kitchen has also had difficulty
serving some food that lives up to the standards that 8407 is clearly capable
of. For example, one of my three pancakes ($12 served with fresh berries) was charred to the point of being inedible. Given, I was full after my first two pancakes, but I was still disappointed that I couldn't overeat like I'd been expecting. Sometimes, eggs were served cold (eg. $13 eggs benedict served with roasted potatoes).<br />
<br />
A perfect example of 8407's inconsistency was in the grilled salmon with asparagus and poached eggs ($15). The dish was beautifully plated (see below), and featured a simple, yet nomz mix of flavors including a slightly spicy tomato sauce along with the egg yolk and well-seasoned salmon. Unfortunately, the egg yolk in the poached egg was refrigerator cold, and the dish came without any type of bread to sop up the yolk/tomato. Yo, if you're not going to have bread, please list that this dish is the diet option. I go to brunch for CARBS. When I asked for some toast, it was evident that 8407 didn't have bread in the kitchen. Finally, about 15 minutes later, I got a warmed slice of brioche. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYdOZMuWSEs/Vf9cuB9TNyI/AAAAAAAABVg/6cTMbXFokGk/s1600/photo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtpoSP6TNj0/Vf9cuJSLLNI/AAAAAAAABVk/lDniP_MK-ZY/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtpoSP6TNj0/Vf9cuJSLLNI/AAAAAAAABVk/lDniP_MK-ZY/s400/photo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled salmon, poached eggs, and asparagus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Basically, 8407, I really want to love you for brunch. Please, get your consistency down.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/washington-dc/8407-kitchen-bar-silver-spring" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about 8407 Kitchen Bar, Silver Spring and other Restaurants in Washington DC"><img alt="8407 Kitchen Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/16874461/minilogo" style="border: none; height: 15px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a> MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-47308994076441986342015-09-10T20:08:00.000-07:002015-09-28T15:04:58.592-07:00Fun In FallIn elementary school, every. single. fall. we used to sing a song called, "Fun In Fall." Now, this song may have been written by our music teacher or something, because I cannot find the lyrics ANYWHERE. I'm posting this now because maybe other people who went to my elementary school have been searching online for it like I have. Hopefully these people can help me crowdsource to get the full lyrics! <span style="color: red;">EDIT 9/28: Thanks to a good friend (and her mother), we now have all the lyrics!!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>FUN IN FALL</b></div>
<br />
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span class="il">Get</span> <span class="il">out</span> <span class="il">your</span> <span class="il">sweaters</span><br />And <span class="il">get</span> <span class="il">out</span> <span class="il">your</span> <span class="il">gloves,</span><br />It's fun in fall.</span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;">This is the season that everyone loves,<br />It's fun in fall.</span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;">Play in the leaves as they fall from the trees,<br />But don't sniff the golden rod... </span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;">Or you'll sneeze (achoo)!<br />School bells are ringing,<br />Time to learn <span class="il">your</span> ABC's.</span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;">It's fun in fall.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Taking long walks </span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">In the fresh nippy air</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Is fun in fall.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Taking a trip to the </span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Big county fair</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Is fun in fall.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><strike>Watch as they harvest</strike></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><strike>The corn and the wheat.</strike><br /><strike>It's fun in fall.</strike></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><strike>????</strike></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><strike>It's fun in fall.</strike></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;">Wave <span class="il">your</span> flag high<br />On veterans day.<br />Watch the parade until<br />they march away!<br />The season for football is here<br />Hip hooray!<br />It's fun in fall.</span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><br /></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Watch as they harvest</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">The corn and the wheat.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">It's fun in fall.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Eat big red apples</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">So juicy and sweet.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">It's fun in fall.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">On Thanksgiving Day</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Have a big appetite.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">And wish on the wishbone with...</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">... All your might!</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">Make jack-o-lanterns</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">On Halloween night.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><span style="color: red;">It's fun in fall.</span></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"> </span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"> </span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><strike>??? (something about a big county fair? Halloween? GET ON IT, INTERWEBZ!)</strike></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><strike>??? </strike></span><span style="display: block; padding-left: 6em;"><br /></span>MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-79354192571311592482015-08-16T20:31:00.000-07:002015-08-17T16:53:59.953-07:00Pho Tan Vinh<a href="https://www.zomato.com/washington-dc/pho-tan-vinh-silver-spring">Pho Tan Vinh</a><br />
Colesville Rd. near Fenton St., Silver Spring<br />
7/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
Located approximately diagonal ("catty-corner") from the Fillmore, I'd say Pho Tan Vinh is a pretty good option to fill your stomach for cheap before heading to a concert. The best bet if you're looking for a lighter meal is the grilled chicken banh mi:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VzDHfpGHjgs/VdFRjMh-QnI/AAAAAAAABUM/3yh__dMCn4s/s1600/phoTanVinh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MeNmiOsvrqY/VdFSerb70QI/AAAAAAAABUs/8ukP4Ik9Tlg/s1600/phoTanVinh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MeNmiOsvrqY/VdFSerb70QI/AAAAAAAABUs/8ukP4Ik9Tlg/s640/phoTanVinh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
At $5 and change, the chicken banh mi has the deliciously concocted crispy bread, cilantro, cucumber, carrots, mayo, and jalapeno that I've grown to expect, along with a tasty surprise--pate. For a more filling plate, consider trying the Tan Vinh special, which is a deconstructed banh mi with four different meat toppings (pate, sausage, egg, and some type of bologna). These specials are a little confusing at first--how can you fit all the toppings onto the crusty roll? You have a few options: 1) fork and knife it all the way; 2) make a REALLY full sandwich (not actually possible to fit everything on there); or 3) slice up your bread and make several open-faced sandwiches. This is the way to go if you want to make your own ultimate banh mi (or if you're just pretty hungry).<br />
<br />
I've been missing the plethora of <a href="http://makingpennies.blogspot.com/2014/08/saigon-deli-u-district-perfect-banh-mi.html">Vietnamese options in Seattle</a>. So far, Pho Tan Vinh is the place I go to fill that lonely spot in my stomach.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/washington-dc/pho-tan-vinh-silver-spring" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to add a blog post for Pho Tan Vinh on Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/16878488/minilogo" style="border: none; height: 15px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a> MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-30224167198678538592015-06-06T17:25:00.000-07:002015-06-06T17:30:43.802-07:00Sushi Jin: Sushi meets ancient Pompeii<a href="https://www.zomato.com/washington-dc/sushi-jin-next-door-silver-spring">Sushi Jin</a> <br />
Fenton St near Roeder Rd, Silver Spring<br />
7/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
Sushi Jin in Silver Spring has been on my must try list for a while now, but I've always been a little skeeved out by the slatted window coverings that prevent a small female like myself from seeing what I'm getting into. I'm glad I finally decided to try it out--inside was a small but bustling restaurant serving notable sushi.<br />
<br />
On a Friday night, the restaurant was full. Tables at the front (2 person) and booths at the back (2-4 person) offer an intimate feel. We were seated at the crowded sushi bar, which offered an excellent view of three sushi chefs creating their works of edible art.<br />
<br />
We started off with steamed shrimp shumai and miso soup, which were both warm and comforting, but otherwise unremarkable. For the main course, we ordered sushi from the a la carte menu. We tried several rolls and a few nigiri, each of which were fresh, well-seasoned, and often sweet. Particularly interesting was the Amazon Roll, a vegetarian roll featuring cucumber, radish, asparagus, and a few other veggies. This roll was completely refreshing, basically a salad wrapped in rice. <br />
<br />
Last, but certainly not least, came the impeccably-plated volcano roll ($12, pictured below). When this dish came, I was like, OMFG THIS IS THE BEST. IMAGINE MY PLATE IS POMPEII IN 79 AD. I've certainly seen dragon rolls in the shape of dragons before, and a few other kitschy platings here and there, but never a FOOD SPLOSION. The volcano roll includes two shrimp tempura, two types of fish roe, a spicy/sweet mayo-based sauce, and crunchy toppings, which all melded together to make a crispy and sweet dish. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIvf_AJRHlA/VXOIC0YzlPI/AAAAAAAABR4/mknKh1Onq5Y/s1600/DSCN9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIvf_AJRHlA/VXOIC0YzlPI/AAAAAAAABR4/mknKh1Onq5Y/s640/DSCN9572.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi Jin's Volcano Roll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I won't divulge any more spoilers, but sitting at the sushi bar also gave me a great view of several other beautiful and/or hilarious concoctions. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/washington-dc/sushi-jin-next-door-silver-spring"><img alt="Click to add a blog post for Sushi Jin Next Door on Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/16871499/minilogo" style="border: none; height: 15px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a> MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-55768330471606175492015-05-19T14:58:00.000-07:002015-05-19T15:27:45.230-07:00Urban Butcher: The people have spoken, and they love meat<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1797763/restaurant/DC/Urban-Butcher-Silver-Spring">Urban Butcher</a><br />
Georgia Ave & Ripley St, Silver Spring<br />
7.5/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
Despite my enthusiasm for Silver Spring, I'm the first to admit that I was completely surprised to see a packed house at 7pm on a rainy Wednesday night in April. Surrounded by hanging cured meats, happy hour goers chatted (probably after a few <a href="http://www.urbanbutcher.com/restaurant/happy-hour/">$6 lavender margaritas</a>) and diners oohed over pans of roasted chicken. Apparently, people love meat. <br />
<br />
To start, my party sampled a selection of meats and cheese, and Urban Butcher impressed us with presentation. No more trying to remember which meat was which--the names of the meats were written onto to butcher board! So simple, much wow. Maybe this is a thing now, but I haven't seen it. We particularly enjoyed the spiciness of the chorizo, but would probably skip the spreadable pork 'Nduja next time. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghhx_0g28pg/VVuqSzngQqI/AAAAAAAABQ0/aq-fokipfX8/s1600/DSCN9314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghhx_0g28pg/VVuqSzngQqI/AAAAAAAABQ0/aq-fokipfX8/s640/DSCN9314.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meat and cheese board - five selections.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the main course, by far the best dish I sampled was the ox brisket ($24). Served with a potato puree, the meat was ridiculously tender. I also thoroughly enjoyed the hanger-cut steak frites ($24) and the butcher's burger and fries ($12). In these solid staples, the quality of the meat at Urban Butcher was the star. A misstep was the pork blade steak "Bulgogi" ($26). When I think of bulgogi, I'm looking for soft, juicy, sweet pieces of meat. The steak was overcooked to the point of being dry, and was served with three different sauces, none of which evoked bulgogi for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zgcSmVFgUdQ/VVuxTa3UGjI/AAAAAAAABRE/CnH2U59I3ug/s1600/DSCN9316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zgcSmVFgUdQ/VVuxTa3UGjI/AAAAAAAABRE/CnH2U59I3ug/s640/DSCN9316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ox brisket with potato puree ($24)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7AxtCXYj54/VVuxT_w8EgI/AAAAAAAABRI/Hh5GLFVsHaY/s1600/DSCN9319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7AxtCXYj54/VVuxT_w8EgI/AAAAAAAABRI/Hh5GLFVsHaY/s640/DSCN9319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork blade steak ($26)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Urban Butcher <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/bestbites/food-restaurant-news/urban-butcher-reopens-next-week.php">recently reopened</a> this winter after an electrical fire on its roof. I'm glad to see that herds of meat fans are coming to Silver Spring to support its reopening.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1797763/restaurant/DC/Urban-Butcher-Silver-Spring"><img alt="Urban Butcher on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1797763/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-30752109218851439292015-05-07T18:56:00.001-07:002015-05-19T15:00:10.176-07:00Taste The World in Fenton VillageThis past Sunday, Silver Spring held its annual "Taste the World" festival. At the festival, participants are given a "passport" with a map/list of restaurants to try, and visitors go to as many restaurants as they want to try $3-$5 food samples (and yes, the restaurants stamp your passport). It was a pretty fun way to try new restaurants.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1937695/restaurant/DC/Sligo-Cafe-Silver-Spring#blog_posts"><u><b>Sligo Cafe</b></u> </a>(Sligo Ave & Fenton Street ish)<br />
<br />
We started off the afternoon at Sligo Cafe, a recently opened American comfort food restau. Their sampling menu featured watermelon lemonade ($3), smoked chicken ($5), and pulled pork sandwich ($5). My entire party tried the pulled pork sandwich (how couldn't we!?!), and I am happy to report that the pork was moist, sweet, <i>and </i>(a must in my book) spicy.<br />
<br />
I believe we were served by the owner of the restaurant, who was running around both amazed and overwhelmed, "It's great that so many people came out, but I wish I had more people working today!" Even with this lower-budget dish, I see a lot of potential for a great meal in the future. Sligo Cafe will be seeing me again soon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7ig-sqXaWY/VUwMFcLO4iI/AAAAAAAABOY/2C5nbjj0rRc/s1600/DSCN9505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7ig-sqXaWY/VUwMFcLO4iI/AAAAAAAABOY/2C5nbjj0rRc/s640/DSCN9505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sligo Cafe's "Taste the World" pulled pork sandwich</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh2gVuBLzcw/VUwMGKVXgmI/AAAAAAAABOg/fygN5m294UY/s1600/DSCN9506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh2gVuBLzcw/VUwMGKVXgmI/AAAAAAAABOg/fygN5m294UY/s640/DSCN9506.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of Sligo Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/105470/restaurant/DC/Roger-Miller-Restaurant-Silver-Spring"><u><b>Roger Miller Restaurant </b></u></a>(Bonifant & Fenton Street ish)<br />
<br />
Next, we headed over to Roger Miller Restaurant, which was a great second choice because we got to enjoy the beautiful weather and a ginger beer (mmm) on one of the four or five tables on its front patio. Serving West African cuisine in an "all you can fit into the small to-go container" style ($5) also worked out great for us, because after hitting up this place, we were supremely full. We sampled jollof rice, chicken, groundnut stew, and some greens (can't remember name). I thoroughly enjoyed the rice and the chicken. The groundnut stew, which is kind of like a Thai peanut sauce, was a little bland for my liking. This place will definitely serve its purpose (and fill you up!) for takeout dinner or an outdoor lunch; don't plan on eating in the small dining room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzcWQWut3NI/VUwMGecH7dI/AAAAAAAABOk/Q5dm1kVtFvg/s1600/DSCN9507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzcWQWut3NI/VUwMGecH7dI/AAAAAAAABOk/Q5dm1kVtFvg/s640/DSCN9507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small to-go container at Roger Miller Restaurant during the "Taste the World" festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1726822/restaurant/DC/Fenton-Cafe-Silver-Spring">Fenton Cafe</a> </b></u>(Fenton Street between Bonifant and Thayer)<br />
<br />
Ready for some dessert, we made a beeline for Fenton Cafe, which serves sweet and savory crepes. The cafe featured three of its crepes (sugar and butter, nutella, and a savory one that I don't remember b/c... dessert!) at a discounted price for the festival. At this place, diners order at the counter, and are served the crepes in the small seating area (~15 seats). I ordered a Nutella crepe. It was pretty large (yay), and didn't let me down too much. After becoming addicted to Nutella crepes in Paris, I can say it's fairly easy to let me down in the crepe category. My main beef with this crepe was that they served it with Hershey's syrup on top (ohnoezzz). It definitely makes the crepe looks nice, but also takes away from the Nutella flavor. I will ask them to leave it off next time I visit. Fenton Cafe is certainly a fun place to get a quick lunch or dessert.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g9j3O7uF9yg/VUwMGwFnlHI/AAAAAAAABOs/810duw-WMXA/s1600/DSCN9508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g9j3O7uF9yg/VUwMGwFnlHI/AAAAAAAABOs/810duw-WMXA/s640/DSCN9508.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutella crepe at Fenton Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1937695/restaurant/DC/Sligo-Cafe-Silver-Spring"><img alt="Sligo Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1937695/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/105470/restaurant/DC/Roger-Miller-Restaurant-Silver-Spring"><img alt="Roger Miller Restaurant on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/105470/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1726822/restaurant/DC/Fenton-Cafe-Silver-Spring"><img alt="Fenton Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1726822/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-54479947142974012352015-04-15T17:41:00.000-07:002015-04-15T17:41:05.971-07:00Kenwood Cherry BlossomsI was super impressed by the sheer number of cherry blossoms along the streets of Kenwood in Bethesda, MD. An extra plus is your fantasy/mind grapes about what you'd do if you owned one of the mansions behind all those blossoms. I would highly recommend taking a trip next season! Take a look:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqybUNGpVt4/VS8CWXmKSMI/AAAAAAAABNg/ogbnR2KCQM8/s1600/DSCN9454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqybUNGpVt4/VS8CWXmKSMI/AAAAAAAABNg/ogbnR2KCQM8/s1600/DSCN9454.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowded on Brookside Dr.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1299088260"></span><span id="goog_1299088261"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fkSREWUcQU/VS8BOfq8PgI/AAAAAAAABM8/92AeQtk2-8w/s1600/DSCN9471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fkSREWUcQU/VS8BOfq8PgI/AAAAAAAABM8/92AeQtk2-8w/s1600/DSCN9471.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy of blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjwn_xOxZUw/VS8BOhdvr4I/AAAAAAAABNE/gB5h6fS4p_8/s1600/DSCN9476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjwn_xOxZUw/VS8BOhdvr4I/AAAAAAAABNE/gB5h6fS4p_8/s1600/DSCN9476.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fewer crowds on Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBGNn9vwaWk/VS8CrQjtBfI/AAAAAAAABNo/m-y4nveEc4g/s1600/DSCN9490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBGNn9vwaWk/VS8CrQjtBfI/AAAAAAAABNo/m-y4nveEc4g/s1600/DSCN9490.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now, the actual sunset.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG-P5C48GBA/VS8DqHv5pNI/AAAAAAAABN8/vaalVmJo37w/s1600/DSCN9497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG-P5C48GBA/VS8DqHv5pNI/AAAAAAAABN8/vaalVmJo37w/s1600/DSCN9497.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Nightfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Details: The main street everyone loves to walk on is Brookside Dr, which is probably most impressive because it has cherry trees on both sides of the street as well as on the green-space median. However, all the side streets in the area also boast the canopy of blossoms, so it's easy to find a street without tons of people getting in your way. If you drive, park outside of the neighborhood (NO PARKING is emblazoned throughout), possibly in the parking lot for the Giant at Brookside & Westbard.MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-46659387908341118342015-04-05T11:54:00.001-07:002015-04-05T12:04:24.530-07:00Backstreet Boys debut: enhancedCD material!!!Today is Easter, so I took the morning to resurrect some of my fav CDs from my tween years. When I took out my <b>Christina Aguilera</b> CD (self-titled, 1999), I noted that her album cover listed fan websites such as <a href="http://www.peeps.com/christina">www.peeps.com/christina</a>, <a href="http://www.christina-a.com/">www.Christina-A.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.christinaa.howfun.com/">www.ChristinaA.howfun.com</a>. Oh no :( :( :( ... none of the sites are functional anymore!!! Christina didn't even take the time to buy those domain names--one goes to random house publishing.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this made me look at some of my other CDs from the burgeoning interwebz era (late 90s). Most still had mail away fan clubs. <b>Third Eye Blind</b>'s self-titled album (1997) referenced a non-functioning website: <a href="http://www.slip.net/~3eb">www.slip.net/~3eb</a>. More interesting was<b> Destiny's Child</b>'s (self-titled, 1998) "CD Extra" which claimed to have an "interactive musical experience!" Dare I risk effing up my computer with some old-ass .exe file? YES! Unfortunately, the CD-ROM is no longer compatible with my system requirements, but I got a screen grab of the text file setup page:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbyCQuALZR8/VSF3BavX6KI/AAAAAAAABJ0/FFvkOEH07NA/s1600/DSCN9277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbyCQuALZR8/VSF3BavX6KI/AAAAAAAABJ0/FFvkOEH07NA/s1600/DSCN9277.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"CD EXTRA is a brand-new way of experiencing music..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Determined to find something exciting, I happily placed the <b>Backstreet Boys</b> (self-titled, 1996) "enhancedCD" into my disk drive and... SUCCESS! Here is my journey through the technological enhancedness of BSB.<br />
<br />
At this point, let me apologize for the crappy video I am posting here.
The images are mostly unrecognizeable, but you can hear the (albeit bad
quality) audio. In my humble opinion, I think this format is somehow fitting for this blog
entry. Let me know if you absolutely need better quality, and I will consider your request.<br />
<br />
After inserting the disk, you're prompted to type in your name so that a PERSONALIZED intro page of a letter addressed to **YOUR NAME HERE** with each of the boys' signatures pops up. Audio is this NEVER BEFORE RELEASED hello to fans! "You're watching us. Live. On this en-nnn-nnn-hanced Cdeeeeee."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxV1y2PP9nJWiT6BugcHA-NuJxG2jE7DdIenB_co96c1OOSAg4vBQvAuKThTk_acS2f38eUt_eM0i-5NETljQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Next, the menu page asks you if you want to enter BSB world, instructions, or copy down links to the BSB web pages. THE WEB. Remember when people called it the web? I'm going to take this time to let you down a little bit. Unfortunately, none of the videos for this CDrom thingy work. The old version of Quicktime would not load on my computer. SORRY!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqcUHbhILbE/VSF5h5Ty0fI/AAAAAAAABKE/qMtBl8RZTKI/s1600/DSCN9250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OqcUHbhILbE/VSF5h5Ty0fI/AAAAAAAABKE/qMtBl8RZTKI/s1600/DSCN9250.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu Page for BSB enhancedCD (above).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5NRT5sC8Zzc/VSF5nNvVFfI/AAAAAAAABKU/vkj-zIyvD54/s1600/DSCN9253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5NRT5sC8Zzc/VSF5nNvVFfI/AAAAAAAABKU/vkj-zIyvD54/s1600/DSCN9253.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The "General Instructions" section has many gems. I've included the sections about AOL software (above) and why the album includes a track zero with multimedia information (below)!! Not sure why the record label thought we would care, but I'm guessing that the music people had no idea how to access the enhancedCD stuff, so they didn't look at the instructions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJcOXCcn3GI/VSF5nWQk13I/AAAAAAAABKY/jVASvBzxy0U/s1600/DSCN9257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJcOXCcn3GI/VSF5nWQk13I/AAAAAAAABKY/jVASvBzxy0U/s1600/DSCN9257.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Of course, I next clicked through to "Backstreet Boys World," and what a world it was. BSB is so international.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnw1yhGas1w/VSF5sHTUalI/AAAAAAAABK4/NZWazXv63BE/s1600/DSCN9263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnw1yhGas1w/VSF5sHTUalI/AAAAAAAABK4/NZWazXv63BE/s1600/DSCN9263.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu page for "Backstreet Boys' World" (above).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u> BIO PAGE: </u>The bio page has about three pages of information, several photos, and a BSB quiz, which gets you a video if you get all the answers correct (which I can't access due to the old version of Quicktime). The bio has some interesting facts I never knew about BSB:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzaTUzTlDOg/VSF5ss8Lf6I/AAAAAAAABK0/8UOcQ-tuZbw/s1600/DSCN9265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzaTUzTlDOg/VSF5ss8Lf6I/AAAAAAAABK0/8UOcQ-tuZbw/s1600/DSCN9265.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"BSB had become one of Florida's hottest live acts. They played everything from a high school gymnasium, Grad Night at Sea World, to an opening slot for Brandy."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The bio page also had a link to "Member Profiles," where you could click on a photo of each BSB member to get a brief factoid page about the BSB member and an audio file from him!!<br />
<br />
<b>AJ's Page:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwHeWUeIk8iVkbbvr_wkP0_FYXmdpUdHKfR3SRhGqnpZe1BDmoZMgTpVR3CzUFoVpZZWS4rl3ARoJBVwa6XQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Did you know that AJ would describe himself as "freaky, funky, romantic?" From the audio, you can hear that his nickname is "Bone?" Gross. This is why no one liked you, AJ.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Brian's Page:</b><br />
Brian thinks he is "humorous and athletic" and also likes "Desert Island CDs" by Boyz II Men, Babyface, and Backstreet Boys. So glad he's listed his own band up there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzlKsEe89eZWHFKKEsCTV-V8SNsiTQWLStgFhm6M2Jsem2TKo0pt_TKDhXXy4F1xwGT8AYySvboliNacQusbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Howie D's Page:</b><br />
Howie is "caring, respectful, and honest." Wow, what a sweet guy! His favorite color is purple and he loves his mom's home cooking.<b> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwRRuZl8Uk96bnIdBisph-CuE-DVpzFlNS1m6fO1Kmpeds5sNaosJtbmU_8ij4bh27bSWXAFR-fPa5M0Wq0Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Kevin's Page:</b><br />
Kevin's audio is certainly the saddest: "Hey what's up? I'm the ... oldest member of the Backstreet Boys I'm Kevin." He says it like, yeah. This sucks. He apparently is "sincere" and "serious about his work," which is probably why he's so depressed to admit he is the oldest member of a boy group.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGb9Yl2QoUQ-BgTr5qoKX8F7C7WuKo_BlTpchSAjf-C1cI-0Ka9P12g8xNpsFy7Eo5zcd5yJA-_R37MmwXhg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>Nick's Page:</b><br />
Nick's audio is trying to be all breathy and ... sexy? Ick. He likes "drawing comic books" and among his favorite "Desert Island CDs" is "Journey Greatest Hits."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlqwvi1w8iY8r5gQjfM1t-apUzzcuANV4vV7O4FSJL5zyb2W9vbDC-EJndciAeYX8277P-jJBO7i77lLuZKQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately we missed out on all of the following videos (Quicktime compatibility issues).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwqqZtHAZKQ/VSF5vV6lLcI/AAAAAAAABLI/RXYGn5GGjZk/s1600/DSCN9274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwqqZtHAZKQ/VSF5vV6lLcI/AAAAAAAABLI/RXYGn5GGjZk/s1600/DSCN9274.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would definitely want to see "AJ's foot run over." Also potentially "Falling off the stage."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I guess this enhancedCD's got it goin' on. Feel free to let me know what parts were your favorites in the comments below.MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-33816779103198975312015-02-08T12:24:00.001-08:002015-02-08T12:25:26.196-08:00In support of Beyonce at the Grammys, let's answer a poll.I'm rooting for Beyonce, but her new (ok... it's not that new) single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4YRWT_Aldo">7/11</a> still has me guessing.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="title">
Which of the following was the inspiration for Beyonce's 7/11?</h2>
<div class="widget-content" id="widget-content">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="260" name="poll-widget2753037385031207304" src="http://www.google.com/reviews/polls/display/2753037385031207304/blogger_template/run_app?txtclr=%23444444&lnkclr=%233778cd&chrtclr=%233778cd&font=normal+normal+14px+Verdana,+Geneva,+sans-serif&hideq=true&purl=http://makingpennies.blogspot.com/" style="border: none; width: 100%;"></iframe></div>
MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-19883502678594828702015-02-02T20:12:00.001-08:002015-02-02T20:16:37.273-08:00DC Happy Hours Speed Date: GBD<a href="http://www.gbdchickendoughnuts.com/">GBD</a><br />
7.5/10 on my bangin' scale <br />
1323 Connecticut Ave NW<br />
<br />
<b>Deals:</b> $3 drink specials (beer, wine, PUNCH!!!) A few food specials as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Atmosphere: </b>Doughnuts meet chicken coop.<br />
<br />
<b>Food/Drink:</b> Good beer list and full bar. Chicken--meh...portions are small <i>and </i>they charge you to try all the sauces. Doughnuts are atypical and delish. <br />
<br />
<b>Seating:</b> Booths in the back, logjam near the bar in the middle, barstool seating at the front.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1734771/restaurant/DC/Golden-Triangle/GBD-Fried-Chicken-and-Doughnuts-Washington"><img alt="GBD Fried Chicken and Doughnuts on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1734771/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-50771320226496751402015-02-02T20:01:00.002-08:002015-02-02T20:15:45.220-08:00DC Happy Hours Speed Date: Black Jack<a href="http://www.blackjackdc.com/">Black Jack</a><br />
6.5/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
1612 14th Street NW<br />
<br />
<b>Deals:</b> A few beer/wine specials, and half off pizzas.<br />
<br />
<b>Atmosphere: </b>Circus-themed. Bocce Courts. <br />
<br />
<b>Food/Drink:</b> More cocktails than the bartender knows how to mix. Food portions are not huge.<br />
<br />
<b>Seating: </b>Barstools across the bar, booths/tables in main area, barstools near bocce courts.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/7/1620713/restaurant/DC/Logan-Circle/Black-Jack-Washington"><img alt="Black Jack on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1620713/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-77564862817361071492014-10-12T12:27:00.001-07:002014-10-12T12:27:34.339-07:00Halloween tunez<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:124280642:playlist:7xHH7vciA2x0CzkwM90qQX" width="300"></iframe><br />MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-10466517194771894102014-10-03T20:25:00.002-07:002014-10-03T20:25:59.936-07:00Mean WiseauWe went to AFI Silver Spring tonight to meet up with Greg Sestero on his book tour. DID YOU KNOW that <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".42.1:3:1:$comment684153429454_684182356484:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".42.1:3:1:$comment684153429454_684182356484:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".42.1:3:1:$comment684153429454_684182356484:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0">in Tommy's first version of the script, Lisa's parting words (to
Tommy's corpse) were, "Oh well! The insurance is paid up to 100,000
dollars." </span></span></span><br />
<br />
Finally, my piece of comparative pop culture:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bjbe-Bb7OU/VC9n_zkMDfI/AAAAAAAABHM/01XEVtbqbOs/s1600/TommyBday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bjbe-Bb7OU/VC9n_zkMDfI/AAAAAAAABHM/01XEVtbqbOs/s1600/TommyBday.png" height="208" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/3eORqi-n2V0?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/3eORqi-n2V0?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-12257425928008615722014-08-19T17:49:00.000-07:002014-08-19T17:49:40.974-07:00Saigon Deli (U-District): Perfect Banh Mi<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/4254/restaurant/University-District/Saigon-Deli-Seattle#blog_posts">Saigon Deli</a><br />
Brooklyn Ave NE near NE 41st St<br />
8/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
It's a rare feat when the price of a sandwich goes up 100% over six years and I still think it's a crazy good deal. At $4 (add $0.75 with a fried egg), the BBQ pork banh mi at Saigon Deli is the best I've had.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxX3Uv02bt8/U_PuEP5zsUI/AAAAAAAABGY/D5EKDFsPvfU/s1600/SaigonDeliBahnMi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxX3Uv02bt8/U_PuEP5zsUI/AAAAAAAABGY/D5EKDFsPvfU/s1600/SaigonDeliBahnMi.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The BBQ pork is flavorful. Not that sad, flavorless BBQ pork that some places in the area use. The roll is always warm and crispy. Top it off with fresh cilantro, cucumbers, carrots, jalapenos, and mayo, and you've got a winner of a sandwich.<br />
<br />
With a lot of banh mi competitors in the U-District/Roosevelt area, it can be tempting to try something else... but, me, I don't want no mediocre.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/4254/restaurant/University-District/Saigon-Deli-Seattle"><img alt="Saigon Deli on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/4254/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a> MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-30841473914681860172014-08-16T07:43:00.002-07:002014-08-16T07:43:33.562-07:00Outback Kangaroo Farm: Arlington, WAWhat an experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBhmaxgFkD0/U-9sMC5y5wI/AAAAAAAABE4/A8L7zAg5zPM/s1600/DSCN8549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBhmaxgFkD0/U-9sMC5y5wI/AAAAAAAABE4/A8L7zAg5zPM/s1600/DSCN8549.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lemurs. One was named Maurice until she had a baby. Now she's Maureen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gPGttLImjYg/U-9sQ_YmaVI/AAAAAAAABFA/2gN0kUEMs3w/s1600/DSCN8556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gPGttLImjYg/U-9sQ_YmaVI/AAAAAAAABFA/2gN0kUEMs3w/s1600/DSCN8556.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outback Kangaroo Farm: where lemurs and goats are neighbors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQJ3T-nitPA/U-9sj8q6q3I/AAAAAAAABFI/2juzO_PooSk/s1600/DSCN8585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQJ3T-nitPA/U-9sj8q6q3I/AAAAAAAABFI/2juzO_PooSk/s1600/DSCN8585.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps "Wally" the wallaby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LDexEJ2eO4/U-9somzm1SI/AAAAAAAABFQ/SiOpYpQ0Pp4/s1600/DSCN8591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LDexEJ2eO4/U-9somzm1SI/AAAAAAAABFQ/SiOpYpQ0Pp4/s1600/DSCN8591.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, just a normal day in the life of a wallaby at Outback Kangaroo Farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTcr9NgTKBw/U-9s0tIRDtI/AAAAAAAABFY/lGynE1Nq5b8/s1600/DSCN8596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTcr9NgTKBw/U-9s0tIRDtI/AAAAAAAABFY/lGynE1Nq5b8/s1600/DSCN8596.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some wallabies were less friendly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4qZm_PWmuU/U-9s35X4f-I/AAAAAAAABFg/pvh7ygbAI8c/s1600/DSCN8600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4qZm_PWmuU/U-9s35X4f-I/AAAAAAAABFg/pvh7ygbAI8c/s1600/DSCN8600.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elsa is just learning how to take bread from the hands of human strangers, and sometimes runs away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRxujzqMlbA/U-9s_e5MMTI/AAAAAAAABFo/kms3fYRZiiY/s1600/DSCN8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRxujzqMlbA/U-9s_e5MMTI/AAAAAAAABFo/kms3fYRZiiY/s1600/DSCN8619.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ostrich noms a snack. Emu run in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehuFj1NlXeI/U-9tFbBK9uI/AAAAAAAABFw/qA30rgCD0Cw/s1600/DSCN8630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehuFj1NlXeI/U-9tFbBK9uI/AAAAAAAABFw/qA30rgCD0Cw/s1600/DSCN8630.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The alpaca gives kisses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-38555520974002113592014-07-29T17:26:00.000-07:002014-07-30T00:08:02.433-07:00Stoneburner: Summertime Eats<a href="http://stoneburnerseattle.com/menu/lunch/">Stoneburner</a><br />
Ballard Ave NW near 20th Ave NW<br />
7/10 on my bangin' scale<br />
<br />
Head to Stoneburner for the outdoors cafe feel without actually having to sit in the sun (we live in Seattle, so we'd melt). Big windows open onto Ballard Ave, which also makes Stoneburner a prime location for people watching.<br />
<br />
The roasted cauliflower sandwich was enjoyable, which totes surprised me. I was probably surprised because they failed to mention on their menu that the sandwich would have a mint-flavored sauce in addition to the listed charred spring onion and Montasio cheese. I love mint, so it was delish. However, I predict that some mint-haters gonna hate. The sandwich comes with perfectly crispy house-made chips seasoned with black pepper. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkPliG9PKio/U9g2wHyxG8I/AAAAAAAABD8/d748IJSUO50/s1600/StoneburnerBallard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AkPliG9PKio/U9g2wHyxG8I/AAAAAAAABD8/d748IJSUO50/s1600/StoneburnerBallard.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted Cauliflower sandwich with mint-flavored sauce (see the green?).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Final thought: is Coldstone pissed by this name? <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1744586/restaurant/Ballard/Stoneburner-Seattle"><img alt="Stoneburner on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1744586/minilogo.gif" style="border: none; height: 15px; width: 104px;" /></a>MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-45601832542764960622014-07-28T12:14:00.001-07:002014-07-28T12:14:33.079-07:00Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away:" Grad School AnthemI know I already brought attention to this song in a <a href="http://makingpennies.blogspot.com/2014/02/graduate-school-in-playlist.html">previous post</a>, but I just wanted to highlight that Kelly Clarkson's 2006 hit "Walk Away" is potentially the most grad school song ever.<br />
<br />
Are you in a graduate program? Do you have any capacity to show emotions? Then you have probably thought the following:<br />
1. I'm too stupid to be here. This is usually due to the fact that you're surrounded by insanely smart people, not because you are actually stupid.<br />
2. I want to leave. This is because of a combination of #1, getting paid basically nothing, and working your butt off to get paid basically nothing.<br />
3. Why am I constantly proving my intelligence? A big problem with grad school is that your personal self worth is defined by how smart other people think you are. WHO CARES?!?<br />
<br />
Kelly Clarkson addresses all of these things in "Walk Away."<br />
<br />
1. I'm too stupid to be here: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You've got your mother and your brother<br />
Every other undercover<br />
Tellin' you what to say (say)<br />
<b>You think I'm stupid</b></blockquote>
Clarkson's lyrics start off strong by evoking one of the grad school big three. Imagine your mother/ brother here are your profs, your advisors, or the people in charge of grading your qualifying exams. This is exactly how you feel in grad school. Grad students are the poor, "uneducated" peons of academia.<br />
<br />
2. I want to leave:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I'm looking for attention<br />
Not another question<br />
<b>Should you stay or should you go?</b><br />
Well, if you don't have the answer<br />
Why are you still standin' here?<br />
Hey, hey, hey, hey<br />
<b>Just walk away<br />
Just walk away<br />
Just walk away</b></blockquote>
The refrain hits point #2 reallll hard. How many times have I seriously considered leaving grad school? Potentially too many to count. How many times have <i>you </i>considered it? Clarkson suggests doing what every grad student wishes (at some point) they had the courage to do. Walk away.<br />
<br />
3. Why am I constantly proving my intelligence?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>I gave you everything<br />
</b>And never asked for anything<br />
And look at me<br />
I'm all alone (alone)<br />
<b>So, before you start defendin'<br />
Baby, stop all your pretendin'<br />
I know you know I know<br />
So what's the point in being slow<br />
Let's get the show on the road today</b><br />
Hey</blockquote>
In her introduction to point #3, Clarkson uses the words, "I gave you everything." I'm pretty sure anyone in a full time grad program is willing to admit that going to grad school is more than full time. That's really why I call my dissertation my "life work." Because it's in the back of my mind almost every moment of my life.<br />
<br />
Finally, she gets to the most grad school part of the whole song. She's talking about a dissertation defense ("before you start defendin' "). For those of you who don't know, a dissertation defense is when committee members ask the student to answer questions about a project they have completed and have been working on for the past 3-7 years, in order to graduate. I <i>wish </i>I could belt this out at my dissertation defense, "I know you know I know. So what's the point in being slow? Let's get the show on the road today."<br />
<br />
Grad students of the world: Let Kelly Clarkson power you through.<br />
<br />
<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/nFCuyLwhUzM?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/nFCuyLwhUzM?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-31381696768181038552014-04-08T22:56:00.001-07:002014-04-10T13:34:39.713-07:00Ode to MilkEven though another episode has aired, I'm still reeling from Milk's elimination on last week's episode of "Rupaul's Drag Race." On the episode, "Oh No She Betta Don't," Ru and the queens wrote and performed original raps.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bHVNduc12PU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
For me, Milk's performance stood out as comedic genius. See the video for her original dancing and facial gestures.<br />
<br />
In addition, she rapped: I translated:<br />
<br />
Never been the "in" girl Milk had a hard time fitting in<br />
since she came out. ever since she revealed her sexual orientation.<br />
Then shudders in her udders She then took control of her (bovine) wiles<br />
were the easy way out. to escape the difficulties she was facing.<br />
If you're looking for a dude Therefore, if you're looking for a man<br />
or in the preggers mood, to have sex with<br />
Milk is in the house Look no further than Milk<br />
and them other bitches rude! because all other girls pale in comparison.<br />
<br />
In her mind-boggling rap, Milk depicted herself as a sexy, gender-bending cow in order to set herself apart from the other girls. Her lyrics echo the 90s rap anthem "Waterfalls" by TLC... if TLC had advised cows to continue chasing waterfalls. I think Ru and the judges agreed that she set herself apart... but in a bad way, not my giggle every time way. DANG. You'll be missed, Milk.<br />
<br />MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-40940611025379203862014-03-30T16:45:00.000-07:002014-03-30T16:57:15.613-07:00I like Li Na way better than Victoria AzarenkaIf Serena stays #1, I'd defs rather have Li Na as #2. Why?<br />
<br />
1. It's fun to cheer for the olds!<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Li and Williams were laughing together at the presentation ceremony,
about how two elderly women could be playing so well. Li, who calls
herself a "young" 32, actually sounded older than her age when she
talked about Miami's Ultra music festival that began last night. The
noise, from acts like Bro Safari, Umek and BlasterJaxx, she said, made
it difficult to sleep in her downtown hotel.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"So many young kids with strange dress," Li said. "Always can see the
young kids like going crazy like drunk, totally. I was like, 'Wow, we
really are old.' Maybe this is the fashion, but we cannot take it." [<a href="http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/10694392/sony-open-tennis-unprecedented-win-serena-williams-li-na">ESPN</a>]</blockquote>
<br />
2. Her only regret is not partying hard enough.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Only one mistake: I think I should go party last night," Li said with a smile. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/10694545/serena-williams-beats-li-na-sony-open-title">ESPN</a>]</blockquote>
3. She's funny. None of this, "I played really well, and I'm so surprised I won," BS. See this year's winner speech at the Australian Open:<br />
<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/M-uVsj2pJDo?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/M-uVsj2pJDo?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-13730339392582999572014-03-25T22:53:00.000-07:002014-03-25T22:57:23.017-07:00Redemption? Jennifer Lopez, "Gigli," and "The Fosters"Now that I've watched an entire season of ABC Family's "The Fosters" (aka <a href="http://makingpennies.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-fosters-7th-heaven-for-lesbians.html">"7th Heaven" for lesbians</a>), I'm forrealz certain that JLo decided to executive produce this whole thing to make up for her horrible lesbian (??? the movie's words, not mine) storyline in "Gigli."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are unfamiliar with "Gigli," please familiarize yourself with the following scene. Seriously. I know four minutes is a long time to watch a bad video, but it really just gets unbelievably worse and worse. And there's <b>*spoiler*</b> camel toe.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PNvCiCbbXgQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As you can infer from that scene, basically anyone involved in that movie should be looking for redemption, but I guess JLo is the only one who realized that.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Meanwhile, JLo has been <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m_RRicx4SA">interviewed</a> as saying that "The Fosters" is about "family and love," which is true. But it's also about drugs, gun violence, undocumented immigrants, ADHD, Alzheimer's, adoption, the foster system, incest, and probably any other problem you can think of that might involve a clan of five teens and two lesbimoms.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I guess I'll give JLo her redemption (although half of it was from her 2011 dance hit "On The Floor"), because the show isn't about sex (unlike "Gigli"). Instead, she shows America that a lesbian family can be as zany, as troubled, and, yes, as loving as any straight family you know. And the show is pretty damn crazy, which is always a plus.</div>
MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-43015544194064978022014-03-16T08:40:00.000-07:002014-03-16T08:56:26.919-07:00Disney's "Frozen" and Madonna's "Frozen" are basically the same thing. (SPOILERS, especially in the links!)Guys, you know how way back when that <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2014/02/20/mormon-woman-made-insane-by-frozen">crazy mormon lady said Disney's "Frozen" sucked because it was indoctrinating kids with teh gay</a>?<br />
<br />
I just re-watched the movie on the airplane, and I'm going to agree with her, but only because the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka-_7H7TK5I">main moral of the movie</a> ("love will thaw a frozen heart") is basically the premise of Madonna's song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evxEOXkxRIA&feature=kp">"Frozen"</a> ("you're frozen when your heart's not open").<br />
<br />
We all know Madonna is Official SpokesSinger/indoctrinator for teh gayz (see: white pimp outfit at this year's grammys while Queen Latifah was marrying gays). In short, is Madonna pissed?MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-43442951383815545612014-02-22T22:42:00.006-08:002014-02-23T14:37:36.632-08:00Graduate School in a playlistSpecifically, grad school at UDub. Since I'm sharing playlists now.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:124280642:playlist:4l3S2kIIJgCdJC95rPW8ds" width="300"></iframe><br />
<br />
In other news, Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away" is 1000% about grad school, amirite? MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-746998203268953066.post-84505117873493080622014-02-15T15:07:00.001-08:002014-02-15T15:07:37.005-08:00Nothing like teeny boppers to power you through.<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:124280642:playlist:3zIZJgPKaALX2tW5LL7I2o" width="300"></iframe><br />MakingPennieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120589525381471612noreply@blogger.com0