Perdido Street Station
China
Really? I guess so...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Music Sunday
Frogs in the Glen
Jim Henson
To continue with the Henson trend from earlier. This song always makes me happy.
Jim Henson
To continue with the Henson trend from earlier. This song always makes me happy.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Gaming Saturday
Shogun/Samurai Swords
Games Master Series
This is one of the first war/strategy games I played that I actually liked. I am sad that it is no longer in print, but people should try and pick it up when they can.
Games Master Series
This is one of the first war/strategy games I played that I actually liked. I am sad that it is no longer in print, but people should try and pick it up when they can.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Food Friday
Galaxy Diner
Carytown - Richmond, VA
Yummy and fun...with a fried pickle! That is my short description of this dining establishment. I have gone here for almost fifteen years, and it is still a good place to grab a bite to eat while shopping. I do remember a brief period during which it was closed, then reopened as an Italian pasta place, then closed and reopened as a diner once again. I never figured out what happened, but I am glad that it reverted back to its original atmosphere.
It is a diner...but with a twist. Everything in the restaurant has a retro sci-fi vibe to it. It orginally had an even heavier Roswell diner vibe with plastic "little green men" aliens on merchandise and around the counter, but that has been toned down over the years. The tables all have chrome on them and the table tops are covered in the little boomerang designs of that era. The benches are vinyl and are beginning to look a bit worse for wear. However, the staff is always nice, and the food is always tasty.
The food may not be the best you can find, but for the price and atmosphere, you cannot beat it. This time I got one of their Aztec Burgers (burger with Pepper Jack cheese, avocado, salsa, chipotle mayo and other fixings) with fries and cucumber salad as sides. The burger was alright, nothing to write home about, but every sandwich comes with their signature fried pickle spear. This was the first place I had ever had a fried pickle and I instantly fell in love with it. Their cucumber salad is also some of the best I have found at a restaurant. It is potent! They do not skimp on the vinegar and I like that it has some "umpf."
While I did not get much to eat this time, I have had many of the things they offer there. During the summer, you should not forget to get one of their fresh squeezed lime-aids. I remember one batch we had that really made everyone's face pucker. It was great! We also have often gotten their floats, shakes, and malts. When you get a shake, it comes in a glass along with the metal shaker by its side. They also have other typical diner deserts (deep dish apple pie, cobbler, brownies, etc), but they also serve fried Twinkies and fried Oreos. Molten sugar encased in a crispy fried shell :)
There are plenty of other things to eat as well. They serve breakfast foods as well as a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They have a kids section as well as a few larger platters. I tend to stick with burgers an sandwiches since they are relatively inexpensive, and pretty tasty. You can also choose from a good selection of draft beers including Legend beers from Richmond. Always a fun place to stop when we are in Richmond.
Carytown - Richmond, VA
Yummy and fun...with a fried pickle! That is my short description of this dining establishment. I have gone here for almost fifteen years, and it is still a good place to grab a bite to eat while shopping. I do remember a brief period during which it was closed, then reopened as an Italian pasta place, then closed and reopened as a diner once again. I never figured out what happened, but I am glad that it reverted back to its original atmosphere.
It is a diner...but with a twist. Everything in the restaurant has a retro sci-fi vibe to it. It orginally had an even heavier Roswell diner vibe with plastic "little green men" aliens on merchandise and around the counter, but that has been toned down over the years. The tables all have chrome on them and the table tops are covered in the little boomerang designs of that era. The benches are vinyl and are beginning to look a bit worse for wear. However, the staff is always nice, and the food is always tasty.
The food may not be the best you can find, but for the price and atmosphere, you cannot beat it. This time I got one of their Aztec Burgers (burger with Pepper Jack cheese, avocado, salsa, chipotle mayo and other fixings) with fries and cucumber salad as sides. The burger was alright, nothing to write home about, but every sandwich comes with their signature fried pickle spear. This was the first place I had ever had a fried pickle and I instantly fell in love with it. Their cucumber salad is also some of the best I have found at a restaurant. It is potent! They do not skimp on the vinegar and I like that it has some "umpf."
While I did not get much to eat this time, I have had many of the things they offer there. During the summer, you should not forget to get one of their fresh squeezed lime-aids. I remember one batch we had that really made everyone's face pucker. It was great! We also have often gotten their floats, shakes, and malts. When you get a shake, it comes in a glass along with the metal shaker by its side. They also have other typical diner deserts (deep dish apple pie, cobbler, brownies, etc), but they also serve fried Twinkies and fried Oreos. Molten sugar encased in a crispy fried shell :)
There are plenty of other things to eat as well. They serve breakfast foods as well as a variety of sandwiches and burgers. They have a kids section as well as a few larger platters. I tend to stick with burgers an sandwiches since they are relatively inexpensive, and pretty tasty. You can also choose from a good selection of draft beers including Legend beers from Richmond. Always a fun place to stop when we are in Richmond.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Television Thursday
Parks and Recreation
NBC (2009-present)
There are not that many shows that I have found that start off so poorly, but then evolve into something hilarious. I watched the first pilot episode, but could not stand the characters, so I did not watch any more of the first season. The first season was only six episodes, and it never really got off the ground. I guess enough people watched it so they were able to get a second season. I heard that a lot of people liked it as the second season progressed, but I still did not believe them. I continued to ignore the show until I noticed that the first two seasons were available on streaming video. I decided to give it another try.
The first season was still difficult to watch, but it was only six episodes. The only good things to come out of the first season were the character backgrounds and the theme song. I love the simple, catchy, and bubbly theme song. NBC had a contest in which people could submit songs they hoped would be selected as the theme song. The winner was a duo of song writers named Gaby Moreno and Vincent Jones. Their song kept me interested and really does a wonderful job of setting the tone of the show and characters.
After struggling through the first season, I was amazed at how much of a difference the second season brought. The first episode of the second season was MUCH better than anything the first could offer. Season two continued to improve all through the season, and season three has continued to impress me.
My favorite character would have to be Ron. He is in charge of the Parks and Recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. He is not the main character, but every scene that features him is wonderful. His character is gruff but lovable, and he would lay down his life for any of his staff (even though he would never admit to that.) Nick Offerman seems to have a lot of fun portraying the character, and I hope he sticks with the show. So far, there has only been one character that was written out of the show, and he never really fit anyway.
I think my favorite episode so far would have to be "Hunting Trip." The men in the office have an annual tradition of going hunting, but this year the women want to join. Things happen, people get hurt, friendships are tested, you know, the usual. But somehow it all holds together and creates a very humorous package.
NBC (2009-present)
There are not that many shows that I have found that start off so poorly, but then evolve into something hilarious. I watched the first pilot episode, but could not stand the characters, so I did not watch any more of the first season. The first season was only six episodes, and it never really got off the ground. I guess enough people watched it so they were able to get a second season. I heard that a lot of people liked it as the second season progressed, but I still did not believe them. I continued to ignore the show until I noticed that the first two seasons were available on streaming video. I decided to give it another try.
The first season was still difficult to watch, but it was only six episodes. The only good things to come out of the first season were the character backgrounds and the theme song. I love the simple, catchy, and bubbly theme song. NBC had a contest in which people could submit songs they hoped would be selected as the theme song. The winner was a duo of song writers named Gaby Moreno and Vincent Jones. Their song kept me interested and really does a wonderful job of setting the tone of the show and characters.
After struggling through the first season, I was amazed at how much of a difference the second season brought. The first episode of the second season was MUCH better than anything the first could offer. Season two continued to improve all through the season, and season three has continued to impress me.
My favorite character would have to be Ron. He is in charge of the Parks and Recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. He is not the main character, but every scene that features him is wonderful. His character is gruff but lovable, and he would lay down his life for any of his staff (even though he would never admit to that.) Nick Offerman seems to have a lot of fun portraying the character, and I hope he sticks with the show. So far, there has only been one character that was written out of the show, and he never really fit anyway.
I think my favorite episode so far would have to be "Hunting Trip." The men in the office have an annual tradition of going hunting, but this year the women want to join. Things happen, people get hurt, friendships are tested, you know, the usual. But somehow it all holds together and creates a very humorous package.
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