Saturday, December 31, 2011

My 11 favorite songs of 2011

This is my list of the songs that I would put together as a mix that represent the songs I loved and listened to the most over the year. I'm not going to even argue that some of these are great vocally or manufactured in production, but they are the songs I liked best.  The rule is that there can only be one song per artist. eleven for 2011 in no particular order:

We Own The Night- Lady Antebellum

It's a apply song that makes me think of times when I was younger and I was driving around town in a car with my friends doing next to nothing.  

You and I- Lady Gaga
There were three artists this year that I had a hard time with choosing only one. Long time fans knew this song when she performed it on tour with only her piano.  I'm not a huge fan of the Shania Twain background music, but lyrically it's near the best song Lady has ever written. This was the year when she learned who her true fans were as her born this way album has been less successful but has exceeded anything she released previously.  

 The Lazy Song- Bruno Mar

This is pure pop candy, and it is awesome to bop around the house to for anyone having a lazy day like I am today

Call Your Girlfriend- Robyn

Robyn is starting to get a little more respect this year in America.  Call Your Girlfriend is a song about breaking up that feels lyrically fresh and new.  

We found Love - Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris

Rihanna continues her superstar status with this joyful dance floor song.  

Breaking Down- Florence and the Machine

Ceremonials was full of so many great songs that it is hard to choose. But I chose this lesser known track that feels like insanity and sadness, and it feels influenced by a lot of 80s music like the Cure, Depeche Mode and Siouxsee and the Bandhees. 

Rivers and Roads- The Head and The Heart

A great folk rock song about the challenges we face in this thing called life.  

Til the World Ends- Britney Spears

I wasn't such a huge fan of Femme Fatale or her lazy stage show this year. But this is a song that you can dance to early in the morning.  The fade out followed by the return of the music is a great addition.  

Super Bass- Nicki Minaj

In 2010 I bought pink Friday without hearing a track. I was disappointed because I felt Nicki was playing a supporting track on her own album.  But then I discovered this track that was on the deluxe album, and I changed my mind. After seeing her live, Nicki Minaj should be a musical force to reckon with for years to come.  

Mama's Broken Heart- Miranda Lambert

With her own album and the Pistol Annie's album there are so many choices. But this song about sucking it up and letting go of drama is a standout.  

We are young fun. Featuring Janelle Monae

I discovered this late in the year. This not particularly deep song is a great anthem for never ending youth and friendship.  

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Back to the food trucks! Los Chilangos

Today I set out to go to a food truck. I finally ended up going to Los Chilangos at the Renton Farmer's market. It was actually ,y third choice after two other choices did not work out for various reasons. In any case, Los Chilangos did not disappoint. They have a variety of mexican foods such ad tacos, tortas , and tamales. I ordered a torts with pork. It was cooked fresh on the spit. For those who don't know, a torta is essentially a Mexican sandwich. Mine had a generous portion of fresh pork, lettuce, cilantro, some black beans, and spicy green sauce. The pork was tasty and tender. It had just enough fat to keep it flavorful, but not overly fatty. I don't like meat overly fatty because it creates a texture I dislike. This meat was just right. The bread it came on was soft and fresh. Sometimes bread is an afterthought in this kind of meal. This bread was excellent. The spicy sauce was just spicy enough to make it flavorful but didn't burn my mouth. They also offered a mild sauce if you don't like spicy food. I will definitely look forward to eat at Los Chilangos again. B

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

My favorite drama and comedy series 2010-2011

My favorite comedy series this year were the following:

Runners up:

The Big C- season 1 had its moment of greatness but also moments of unevenness. But a great cast proved that there were laughs even to be mined out of the most dire situations in life. It also inspired.

Glee- it was a very uneven season with some truly awful moments (sue marries herself. Sue as the grinch.) but it also had some great moments. (Curt being bullied. Curt's dad nearly dies. Curt and Blaine. Sue's family member dies)

The big bang theory- while the series started to have some growing pains. They were overcome by Sheldon and Amy Farrah Fowler.

Parks and Recreation- it was the best season yet with the citizens of Pawnee. Characters became more three dimensional and more importantly funny. The addition of Adam Scott only helped matters.

And my favorite comedy series is:
Modern Family- at this point this is kind of a no brained. Best cast on tv. Easily the funniest show on tv right now.

My favorite drama series were:

Runners up:

the walking dead: sure it's a zombie show, but it's also a survival story, a live story tied up with some dark humor. The best new show of the season.

The killing: Twin Peaks it really wasn't and Seattle has never looked bleaker. Its finale was the most controversial of the season. But I liked the deliberate pace, the acting and I actually liked the ending.

Dexter- it's hard to follow the John lithgow season and Dexter started off on the wrong foot with mourning Rita too long. But if a show can convince me that Julia stiles might be a good actress it must be doing something right.

Mad Men- it was my favorite season of mad men with great stories and elevated performance by most of the cast, and it probably would have been the best if it weren't for

my favorite:

Parenthood: it isn't high concept. No zombies, not a period piece. It's just a show about a family, but rarely has tv been so relatable and honest about family. It's sad the Emmys ignored it. It is the mist underrated show on television.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

week 5 street eating- Maximus/minimus

Today I walked six miles to downtown Seattle so that I could eat at Maximus Minimus. This is a street food vendor that serves many different things but is particular
Arly known for it's spicy pulled pork and it's sweet pulled pork. I ordered three things.

First I will start with ginger lemonade because I was the least impressed with it. It had a nice gingery and lemony taste but the problem was that it also has a metallic tap water taste. Seattle has good clean tap water, but I don't like that metal taste.

Second I ordered a side of sweet Cole slaw. It was a nice mix of cabbage, onion, and dried cranberries mixed with a creamy cole slaw dressing. I really liked the sweet, but a warning to those who don't like raw onions. This slaw had a lot of raw onions. That doesn't bother me though as they were plenty mild.

Third was the main event. Pulled pork is one of my favorite foods and this didn't disappoint. I choice the spicy version. I was told that it would be 2 to 3 star spicy. I would disagree. I didn't find it spicy at all but it did have lots of flavor and the cilantro was a fresh welcome summery taste. It also came on a sturdy wheat bun which was good because it didn't get soggy or messy.

Overall I really enjoyed my dining experience at Maximus Minimus.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

My favorite lead drama TV performances

I was planning on getting this done before Emmy nominations, but I'm slow.

My favorite lead male actor peformances in a drama series are:

Andrew Lincoln- The walking Dead

It's heart to give a heartfelt dramatic performance when you are being chased by zombies, but Andrew Lincoln's performance as the sheriff looking for his family was one of the best from one of television's best shows.

Peter Krause - Parenthood

Peter Krause has always been been one of my favorites, and his performance as family man Adam Braverman is one of his best. B

Gabriel Byrne- In treatment

In the final season of in treatment, Byrne continues to impress as he gives therapy and then receives some much needed therapy.

Michael C Hall- Dexter
This wasn't dexter's best season, but Hall continues to make Dexter Morgan his signature character. B

And my favorite performance was
Jon Hamm-Mad Men

Hamm has always kind Of made playing the great character Don Draper look easily. But season 4 was really the season that Hamm showed up his dramatic chops ever more.

My favorite lead female actor performance in a drama series are:

Lauren Graham- Parenthood
I can never forget Lorelai Gilmore. But Lauren Graham has shown she has range with her performance as Sarah Braverman.

Anna Paquin-True Blood
Sookie Stackhouse has to be dramatic, a little silly, and a little smart alecky. Anna Paquin pulls it off and makes me not able to imagine anyone else in the role.

Jeanne Triplehorne- big Love
Barb was always the most complicated wife on Big Love. Triplehorne always played as graceful, nut also dealing with complicated contradictions such as her feminism and her place in a family with multiple wives.

Mirelle Enos- The Killing
At her heart Sarah Linden is a woman torn between her prestigious job and her family. Enos shows vulnerability with her son and a fierceness in solving the murder of Rosie Larsen.


But my favorite performance was
Elizabeth Moss- Mad Men

Peggy has always been the most interesting character in Mad Men. She is a career woman in a time when woman couldn't usually have it all. In season 4, Peggy worked even harder to climb a career ladders in a man's world.

Monday, July 18, 2011

30 days of television

Here is a list I made of 30 days of television because i didmt like any i found I am going to post each day on Facebook but I will update here also. Feel free to use:


30 days of television
A show your currently obsessed with: Breaking Bad
Favorite  2000s show Six Feet Under
Favorite 1990s show Twin Peaks
Favorite 1980s show Roseanne
Favorite classic television show 1970s Soap
Favorite classic show pre 1970 Batman
Favorite game show Jeopardy!
Favorite talk show The Rosie O'Donnell show
Favorite tv  character
Tv character most like yourself
Favorite tv villain
Show you used to like but your feelings have changed over time
A show with your favorite male tv actor
A show with your favorite female tv actor
Guilty pleasure
Overrated show
Favorite cult classic
A show you liked when you were a kid
Favorite tv movie or mini series
Favorite cast in a series
A show that was gone too soon
Favorite tv relationship
A show that you have meant to catch but you haven't yet
Tv show with the greatest beginning
Tv show with the greatest ending
Best surprise or twist in a show
Best animated or kids shows
Favorite reality show
Favorite comedy
Favorite drama

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Street food (kind of): week 4 Skillet

So my friend Teresa and I have been trying to eat at skillet which is considered one of the better food trucks in Seattle. But we keep missing it. Today we drove all the way to Bellevue to find it. Bellevue is ten miles away which seems not far unless you realize Seattle people don't even like to leave their neighborhood. We got there around 1 and they were supposed to close at 2. But when we got there they were already gone!! They must have ran out of food and we were skillet-less again.

We finally decided to go to the diner version which opened not too long ago. There are a lot of things of the same things on the menu but it technically wasn't street food. But oh well! We were hungry!

I had a delicious hamburger with blue cheese, arugula, and bacon jam. It was delicious! But the real reason I was there was the poutine which for the uninformed is fries covered with gravy and cheese. Skillet adds herbs to theres also! Wow it was so good. My friend Teresa had poutine also but she got a grilled cheese sandwich. It was indeed a great sandwich. It was Brie, cheddar and American cheese on thick grilled brioche bread!! Yum!

We had a good time! Except when I lost my Dell phone. But she found it on the ground by her car! Phew!

I may be going to another street vendor this weekend just for giggles!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The best lead acting in a comedy series

My favorite female lead actor performances in a comedy series.

Runners up:

Toni Collette- The united states of Tara

The last two seasons were not as strong as the first, but Toni Collette always showed a lot of range playing Tara and her multiple personalities.

Tina Fey- 30 rock

It's always fun to see what neurosis we will see each week with Fey's Liz Lemon even when the show itself isn't at it's best.

Edie Falco- Nurse Jackie

It's hard to make a drug addicted nurse who cheats on her husband a character that you want to root for. Somehow Edie Falco makes it happen.


Amy poehler- parks and recreation

In the first season of this show Leslie Nope was an annoying ambitious character, but she wasn't very likable. In season two and three Amy Poehler has changed that part of the character while keeping her eccentricities intact. It has made for a better overall show.


But my favorite performance was:

Laura Linney- the Big C
How is a show about cancer funny? Thanks to Laura linnet's performance it is. Her performance is often laugh out loud funny but also heartbreaking and inspiring.

My favorite male actor performances in a comedy series were:

Runners up:

Steve Carell- The Office
The office has seen way better days, but one of the best parts of this season was watching Michael Scott going from a bumbling fool to a full fledge bumbling fool human being. I will miss this great character.

Alec Baldwin- 30 Rock
Even if 30 rock is past it's prime. Alec Baldwin always brings his A game even to the most ludicrous story lines. Baldwin's Jack makes the show still worth watching.

Matt Leblanc-Episodes

I would imagine it would be tough to play yourself. But playing yourself as unlikeable while still redeemable would be even tougher. Matt LeBlanc pulled it off with great humor.


Jim Parsons-the big bang theory. Even if an episode is weak, Sheldon is always a highlight. Jim Parsons makes him one of the great characters in the history of television. If you don't believe me witness Sheldon giving himself his first neck massage in the season finale!

My favorite performance was-

Ed O'Neil- Modern Family
Sure modern Family is an ensemble but Ed O'Neil is the center and heart of the show. His performance as the family patriarch is enough to make me forget about al bundy forever.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The best of the 2010-2011 television: the supporting comedy actors

Here are my favorite supporting male actor performers of the TV season

The runners up:

Eric Stonestreet- Modern Family Cam is one of the great characters in television. Everyone wishes they had a Cam. Cam is sensitive, flamboyant eccentric, loyal, and always hilarious!

Jesse Tyler Ferguson-Modern family Ferguuson doesn't get enough credit. It isn't easy to be the neurotic "straight" man to the scene stealing Cam. But he does it weekly, and if you listen to him very carefully you will notice that Mitchell gets some of the best lines.

Keir Gilchrist- the united states of Tara. Gilchrist did his best work yet in the final season of Tara. He was a heart breaker I stead of having his heartbroken. He suffered a tragedy, and he questions his loyalty to his mentally ailing mother.

Ty Burrell- Modern Family
Phil Would be a tough character to play. He has to be a buffoon but he still has to have some credibility as a father and husband. Ty Burrell makes the character funny but not a joke.

But my favorite was:
Chris Colfer- Glee

This wasn't a consistent season of Glee. But I knew if the focus was on Kurt it would be a good episode. Kurt dealt with bullying, a family illness, changing schools, and getting his first boyfriend. Chris Coifer pulled off all the drama, but he also sang some nice songs and told a light hearted joke or two.


Best supporting female actor in a comedy series

Runners up
Heather Morris- Glee.

Morris stole the funny from Jane lynch who was season one's MVP. Brittany started out as an occasional funny one liner developed into a full fledged funny but three dimensional character.

Sofia Vergara- modern Family

Gloria is a tricky character to play. She could be the stereotypical foreign bimbo married to an older man. But Vergara gives her heart. You can tell she genuinely loves her husband. Sometimes she is a stereotype. Sometimes she fights them. It doesnt usually feel like I'm laughing at her, but laughing with her.

Amy Ryan- The office

I didn't really like the office this season, but I watched to see michael's send off. When holly returned the office was better. I never thought they could create a character that would be a perfect match for Michael scott. The writers did it and Amy Ryan played her perfectly.

Julie Bowen- Modern Family
In season 1 Claire kind of bothered me. I wondered why someone ad uptight as she is would marry Phil. This season Claire was uptight but Bowen also got to show her kooky side

But my favorite was:
Mayim Bialik- the Big Bang theory

Who knew that the actress who played blossom would make comeback, and then who knew she would be so funny. Bialik made Amy Farrah Fowler the perfect sparring partner for Sheldon.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Another Martha meal and my crazy ideas.

I haven't been doing good about making my Martha Stewart recipes so far, but I did make her easy spaghetti carbonara recipe. It is essentially 7 ingredients. Spaghetti, salt,pepper, eggs, Parmesan cheese, bacon, and half and half. It did end up being really delicious. The recipe says to eat it immediately. I did not, and it was still great. I would suggest lots of black pepper because it really adds to the flavor. I would also say keep the bacon in bigger pieces than you get in restaurant carbonara. I was really happy with it.


While I was using the stovetop, I got the idea of using the self cleaning cycle on my oven to clean the inside of the oven. It didn't really need it, but we are about to get a new oven and I had actually never seen how the self cleaning oven works. And I was curious like the good little monkey curious George. Well basically it stinks and it gets really hot. Well today happens to be the warmest day of the year in Seattle. Probably not a great day to do that. But like I said I didn't know how it worked. And once I figured it out I was kind of locked into it. Lesson learned! It's hot in here!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Week 3 Food on the street: Lumpia World

My friend Teresa and I went on our weekly quest again for delicious street food. We were hoping to find the eve elusive Skillet, but I guess they are taking a long weekend because they were not parked at the Starbucks headquarters today. So we will continue with out pursuit of skillet. It better b good!

We tried out Lumpia world because we Hacé fascinated by it since it was parked outside one of our favorite bar. If you don't know Lumpia. It is a Filipino egg roll and for some reason I like it better than a traditional Chinese egg roll. We both ordered chicken adobo. This was essentially dark and white meet chicken stewed in vegetables and hens served over rice. It was a good sized portion, and I really liked the flavor profile of the sauce. Overall I likecD it. Teresa said her chicken tasted dry and she had lots of little bones in hers. Mine did not have that problem. So I think she ended up with more white meat and meat from around the neck which has little bones.

I ordered a Lumpia sampler. It came with four pieces of Lumpia of my choice. I chose pork, chicken, steak and a dessert banana one covered in chocolate. All of them were fine but kind of unremarkable. The three different meat ones didn't taste that different from them. I think I should have opted for no chocolate on the dessert one which would have made the fried banana one stand out more. I think maybe the problem was the Lumpia was so freshly made that the oil didn't have ti e to sink in and make it more flavorful like it is when my Filipino co-workers bring Lumpia in for lunch at work. It has had some rest time and is deliciousness.

So overall I enjoyed teresa's company and liked Lumpia world but I didn't live it.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

THe best in television 2010-2011: the drama supporting actors

This year my favorite supporting amel acrots in a drama series were.

Runner's up
Craig T Nelson- Parenthood
I never liked the show .oath so I really did expect much from Craig t Nelson as the patriarch Braverman. But Nelson has shown himself to play to his gruff exterior while showing a vulnerable and loyal side when it comes to protecting his family

Irrfan Khan- In treatment
The final season three of In treatment wasn't the strongest stiffener, but the acting was strong as usual. Khan's storyline showed an underlying rage that built over the season to a suspenseful end.

Matt Ross- Big Love. ross's Albee storyline was one of the few highlights of a mediocre season 4. It looked like he might get some redemption, but en his male lover committed suicide and Albee was back in season 5 with a fiery psychotic rage. The character was never redeemed and was hated and complicated right to the end of the series

Dax Shephard- Who would have thought that the former punked star could bring so much emotion and versatility to Crosby Braverman the most dysfunctional Braverman on the underrated Parenthood.


And the best supporting actor in a drama series was :
Dane DeHaan in 8! Treatment

in one half hour episode DeHaan played a openly gay teenager who would move from pride to insecurity to seductiveness to being a compulsive liar. DeHaan's performance as the highlight of the final season of In Treatment.


And the best performances by a female actor in a supporting role were:

Runner's up

Debra winger- in treatment
It was so great to have Debra winger on television. She gave one of the best performances in a great career as an actress dealing with a terminally ill family member

Chloe Sevingy- Big Love.
No matter the quality of any given season of big love youmcould always count of sevingy as Nicolette "the middle child" wife to give an often funny sometimes touching performance.

Julia stiles- Dexter. I thought stiles was one of the most milquetoast actresses around so I didn't expect much from her arc on Dexter. Every time she was on the screen she surprised me

Christina Hendricks- Mad Men
Hendrick's Joan has always represented the woman of that era who was at times a feminist while able to play the traditional roles prescribed to her. Hendrick's had her best season yet as she deals with an unplanned pregnancy and then considering what she can do about it.

My favorite performance of the year was:
Michelle Forbes - The killing. On true blood Forbes played it appropriately over the top, but in the killing I was astounded by her as she gave a complicated performance as the grieving mother of the murdered Rosie Larsen.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

It's Nicki b#%€£! (Sorry Britney !)

Last week I attended the Britney Spears concert. I like a lot of her songs, but I was not willing to pay full price for the ticket. I was able to get a ticket for half price through groupon. I didn't really have high expectatios, but I ended up having a lot of fun. Britney and her people put on quite a spectacle. My particular favorites were high energy performances of "If you seek Amy", "I wanna go", "until the world ends" and an extremely short version of "baby one more time". As for Britney herself I can tell you that she did do some singing despite reports that she lip syncs her whole show. I'm not so concerned about that in songs where the dance energy is high. Madonna, Cher, and Janet Jackson have all done some lip syncing during high energy numbers. It just seems that Britney gets the most criticism for it. However, I will say that britney's energy level was kind of lagging throughout the show. She certainly wasn't at her dancing best and the dancers around her were depended on to make up for a lot of her slack. Overall I would say that my 50 dollar seats 20 rows away from the stage were worth it, but I was glad I wasn't someone who paid full price for tickets.

Now who I would pay full price to see is Nicki Minaj headlining her own tour. She opened for Britney, and my expectations were lw after seeing her perform on Saturday Night Live. But in her 30 minute segment she exceeded my expectations. Her energy level was high and she performed as if her life depended on it. One song would flow into the next. I Wondered how they would handle all of her collaboration songs. They skillfully shortened the songs to make her rapping segments the highlight. On that night, Nicki Minaj provded to me that she was the A superstar. She stole the show that night from Britney. I'd give Nicki an A to Britney's B.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Week 2: eating on the street

Today my friend Teresa and I went to Queen Anne farmer's market to do our on the street eating. There were many potential choices for us there. But we chose to eat at "where ya at Matt?". This street truck is known in Seattle for it's Cajun influence cuisine. Teresa got a small bowl of gumbo, and I had a fried oyster po boy. It was delicious, and I run hot and cold on oysters. The bread was fresh, the fried oysters were tender, and there was a good amount of salad vegetables on it mixed with a tasty mayonnaise sauce. There were so many things on their menu I want to try. I definitely will go back to "where ya at, Matt?"

We also had homeade draft ginger beer from a local vendor, and we shared a dessert crepe at Gina's place at the market. It was a peanut butter, banana and raspberry jam crepe. Delicious! I left the market with some fresh mozzarella and bacon.

On another note earlier this week I went to a vegan bar called highline for a birthday party. They had great vegan cake, but I tried vegan poutine out of curiosity. Let's just say poutine should not be vegetarian!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Best of the. 2010-2011 TV season- Best competive Reality show

Here are the best in competive reality television.

Runner's up

The amazing race After many season of the amazing race a team made up of two women finally one! And then on the next season it happened again. Unfortunately the Alk star season didn't fly ( all star season's rarely do). The teams were too nice and there wasn't a villain that you love to hate. It was a good season for Amazing race but not a great one.

Top chef top chef is it's own industry now with top chef masters and top chef:just dessert. Both are entertaining but neither lives up to the original show. This year top chef did the all star thing. They brought back a lot of my favorites, but ultimately the whole season seemed to be about the redemption of Richard who was never one of my favorite chefs.

Survivor the last two seasons were kind of lacking in terms of great character, but watching Boston rob do what should have been impossible and finally win Survivor made for some pretty great TV.

Project runway project runway would have been the runaway winner if it weren't for one thing. The shoe brought us one of the greatest characters of reality tv with HIV positive and gay Mondo. He was also one of the best designers the show has ever seen. But then they went and ruined it by giving the win to evil Gretchen and her ready to wear forest ranger outfits! Sorry project runway but with your finale you ruined a great season.


The winner is
rupaul's Drag Race The queens weren't as great of characters as the ones in season 2. But the series continued to wear it's campy heart on it's sleeve while taking light hearted looks at issues such as gays in the military. The episode in which the queens dressed straight athletes as drag queens goes down as one of the best episodes of any TV show this season.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Street food week one and the sixth state

Today I started week one of my street food adventures with a trip to my favorite food truck so far, marination. I ordered my regulars--a pulled pork slider. Their pork is so juicy and spiced just right. Only problem was that mine was piled so high that the bread and a lot of the veggies toppled over onto the ground. :). I was more successful with my kimchi quesadilla which is the perfect mix of pork cheese kimchi and spicy sauce. It sounds a bit odd, but it is more than a bit delicious.

So on another note this gay pride weekend is definitely one to celebrate with New York becoming the sixth state to allow gay marriage. It doubled the amount of people in this country who can have a legal same sex marriage. More remarkably is that it happened in a republican controlled state senate thanks to the votes of four republican senators. This is the kind of thing that shows that change is really happening. It's a remarkable victory. I only hope the 7th, 8th, 9th state and so on will soon follow. Hopefully it will happen on the west coast soon. Happy Pride weekend to one and all!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

What I had for dinner: courtesy of Martha Stewart.

So I decided this summer to go through my Martha Stewart magazines and books to cook some of the recipes I skimmed over, salivates, but never cooked. Tonight was my first night, and I made: Chicken Koftas with Cucumbers and Yogurt! Basically it is a spicy chicken meatball in a pita with a cucumber yogurt sauce garnished with tomatoes and mint leaves. I thought I had overcooked the chicken in my haste to get them cooked through but the slight char gave the slickness an extra punch that made it more delicious. I also toasted the pita slightly which made it taste better, but not as easy to bend! It was delicious for a relaxed summer night!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The best in Television for the 2010-2011 season- Reality tv shows. Non- competitive

Now that the season is over I'll be talking about my favorites I will write about my favorites in Television over three blog posts. Tonight's army favorite in reality television.

The best in Reality Television- Non competitive
Honorable mentions
The A list: New York- Sure there were some obnoxious stereotypical gay guys on this, and a lot of it felt really staged. But my guilty conscience was entertained. (logo)
Kathy Griffin My life on the D-list- This was the last season of the show, and it had definitely run it's course, but it was always good for a few laughs. (bravo)
Million Dollar listing- this show has started to run it's course, but the new Josh was a welcome change over android Chad. And old Josh's coming out was touching if totally not surprising. No straight guys loves bubble baths and his grandmother that much!(bravo)

Million dollar matchmaker- something about this show didn't work in NYC but Patti the matchmaker kept the misbehavers in their place.

But the best Reality show- non competitive was
Season 25: Oprah behind the scenes

I've only just caught select episodes of Oprah winfrey's cultural milestone talk show, but season 25 is a can't miss. It shows how hard all these people work to make that show successful, and that you don't become as successful as Oprah Winfrey has without having a strong opinion or two. I will miss it when it ends.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The first day of summer. Last day of work. Celebrating with a pastry.

Yeah yeah today was the last day of work before summer break It went by. I'm happy to start summer vacation. Yes I celebrated by drinking lots of beer. But what I really want to talk about is my celebration pastry. This year because of the location job I have become familiar with one of seattle's culinary treasures--the salvadorian bakery. It is in funky awesome neighborhood in west Seattle called white center. I had been eating their pupusas and pineapple empanadas for special lunches throughout the school year. One day I was charming he lady behind the counter as I am prone to do, and asked her her favorite dessert pastry. She introduced me to the Maria Luisa de Leche pastry. Essentially it is a rectangle pastry that looks like a very blonde brownie. The consistency of the dough is a mix of brownie and shortbread. The taste of the cake is like a moist shortbread. But that's not all! It is filled with this delicious Creamy custard and dusted with cinnamon then chilled. It is best served cold! I'm not really a dessert peson, but this is one of the best sweet trees I've ever eaten! And I am so glad I bought one today!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Summer is here. Time to blog.

Summer is here so I am back to my neglected blog. I hope that it is going to be a fun exciting summer! I plan on doing a few things on my blog this summer. First, I am going to attempt to cook one or more Martha Stewart recipe a day and report about it. I decided to do this because I have so many of her magazines and books and I rarely make any recipes from them. So I am going to and report back on them. Second, I may display some of my own original writing for a project I plan to work on this summer. Third, I plan to go eat at a street vendor a week and report back on it here in Seattle. Im also thinking about going down to Portland to experience street food central! I will also write about moviestv, concerts, musics, vacation, politics and other things I like. It should be an exciting summer!