And now . . .

. . . where do I get one of those clocks that count down to the next election?

 

The robot the world needs

Been watching too much Brink on the Science Channel and they’ve been talking about all the robot that are too be on the market sometime.  Here’s the one I want.  It would be about 3′ tall and would wait in the corner until I call for it.  Inside it would have the necessities for my preferrred drinks – vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, tonic, cranberry,lime juice and ice.  (Might have to narrow that list.)  When I called for it, the robot would mix and pour my drink.  Then, it would retreat to the corner to recharge.  When it got low on a supply, it would either email me or send a text to my phone.

My demands for a happy life are few.

 

7 Christmas wishes

Chris Sanders, president of Tennessee Equality Project, makes 7 Christmas wishes for the gay and lesbian community in Tennessee.  While this list could certainly be longer, it could hardly be better.  Very well said Chris.

 

Do judging shows affect my behavior?

So You Think You Can Dance, Design Star, Next Food Network Star, Iron Chef, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, Project Runway, Food Network Challenge, Throw Down with Bobby Flay. These are the judging/talent contest shows that I watch on a fairly regular basis. I don’t cook unless it involves a microwave and can be finished in 2 minutes or less. I only dance when I’m drinking. And my decorating would be judged as less than competent.

Yet, after watching all these shows, I find myself being more critical in certain areas, particularly in design and cooking. When I go out to eat, I now pay far more attention to all aspects of the experience. I used to pay more attention to the details of the service than I did the details of the food. With the food, I either liked it or I didn’t. Now, I notice pairings, flavor profiles, presentation, proper cooking, etc.

For example, I my last two experiences at Germantown Cafe have been problematic because my expectations were raised. The first of these times, I talked them into giving me a salad with a grilled, sliced chicken breast on top, an item that is not on the dinner menu. The salad was fine, but the chicken was moist on the thick end and quite dry on the thin end.  The next time I went, I had the herb-crusted skate with sweet potato risotto. The risotto was cold and the skate was very dry. (In GTC’s defense, when I mentioned the problem, they immediately removed the dish, and offered to replace it with anything on the menu, all at no charge to me. I repeatedly offered to pay half of the original entree or all of the replacement. They declined both.)

Would I have been as picky if I hadn’t spent so much time watching judged cooking shows? I’ve had several experiences lately where I have focused more on the food details in the past and not been impressed. (I haven’t sent anything else back.) My thinking seems to have been similarly affected in seeing how places decorate and what people wear, particularly on television. (Cat Deely has worn the worst dresses known to man all this season!)

Has anyone else noticed this in themselves or others? Wait staff, have people gotten more finicky about their meals? Is it just me?

 

Prince Harry is hot!

 

<strike> How would the Baptists and Church of Christers feel about one of these in Nashville? </strike>

From FoxNews.com:

LOS ANGELES — A minister with mail order credentials was found guilty Thursday of distributing marijuana through his Hollywood church.

The Rev. Craig X Rubin, 41, the leader of the 420 Temple, who has appeared in episodes of the Showtime comedy “Weeds,” faces up to four years, eight months in prison for possessing marijuana for sale, said Jane Robison, a district attorney’s spokeswoman.

Rubin and some 400 members of his church believe marijuana is a religious sacrament and burn and smoke pot during services.

I wonder if they substitute Doritos for communion wafers?

Update: This was intended to be silly/snarky. Instead it is offensive/uninformed. If I knew how to do a strike through of the headline, I would.

 

More Democrats scared of guns

I really want to go to this Republican fundraiser:

MANCHESTER [N.H.] – City Republicans will be packing some serious firepower at their next party fundraiser.

Tired of the usual chicken dinners, the Manchester Republican Committee is planning to arm supporters next month with Uzis, M-16 rifles and other automatic weapons for a day of target practice at a Pelham firing range.

Cue the typical liberal reaction:

The concept prompted shudders across the political aisle. Chris Pappas, the city Democratic party chairman, called the event “not just in poor taste; it is downright offensive.”

“The citizens of Manchester have lived through a deadly spike in violent crime the past year-and-a-half, despite the campaign promises of (Mayor) Frank Guinta to lower crime rates,” Pappas said. “That the mayor’s political party would seek to glorify the use of machine guns for political gain is unconscionable.”

That deadly spike in violent crime could have been slowed had more law abiding citizens been armed and properly trained.

 

Gay Levi’s commercial

You know that commercial where the really hot guy pulls up his jeans and the phone booth pops up through the floor? Yeah, the one that focuses on his crotch in the boxer briefs. On Logo (one of the gay channels (Bet you straights didn’t know there are two gay channels available here in Nashville.)) Logo has there is a gay version. When he pulls up his pants, the phone booth has a guy in it. Not a cute guy, but a guy none the less.

 

Delivery Alcohol

I wish we had delivery liquor stores. Right now I’m about out of vodka and pretty low on gin and it’s raining. If you’d be willing to run by the liquor store and pick some up, that’d be great. I have most all the necessary and appropriate mixers. We can then engage in sparkling conversation and rambunctious hilarity to be followed by sloppy drunkenness.

Update:  I’ve decided I have enough vanilla vodka (Skyy is the best vanilla vodka.  Don’t even bother arguing with me on this one.  I’ve tried most all of them.)  Mix it with some coke and you’re good to go.  (That’s Coca-Cola, of course.)

 

Missing Paul

I’m still busted up about Paul being booted from Season 3 of The Next Food Network Star. Paul was cute, funny, energetic and had a great theme for a show – entertaining on a budget. Okay, yeah, I’m really focused on the cute part. But, the more I read about him, the more he comes across as such a class act. He was gracious when he won and was gracious when he was asked to leave. Too bad I don’t live in L.A. so I could hire him to cater a party!