Props Out: Dude at the Phillies Game

Every once in a while, I like to hold a person up for scorn for the many ways they offend me without even knowing it. And, most likely, I will continue to do this.

Maybe even in my next post.

Still, a guy we were forced into cohabitating with in a social setting the other day did a very nice thing, so I am inventing a new post category in order to show him some love.

Farewell to Golden Key: Panda Pavilion's Dumplings Are Simply Much Tastier

Golden Key will always hold a place in my heart. My parents held my college graduation lunch there. My sibs and I threw them a 25th anniversary party there. We surprised a friend with a 30th birthday party there. All three events were wonderful and I've enjoyed their food for as long as I can remember.

But as Saucy noted in his March post, something terrible has happened to their dumplings as of late. Way too doughy and, even worse, way too wet. For me, the dumplings are the highlight of the Chinese food meal. So this was a serious problem.

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale
Rough weekend for dieting. Yesterday, it was a Chap's burger followed by a late-night Domino's Pizza (sorry! they stay up late!). Today, we had Chinese for dinner. Tasty, with review to come! And, oh yeah, this beverage straight out the Chap's growler. Refreshing enough. Not transcendent. Still hits the spot.

Ten Quick Thoughts on...The King's Speech

1) The first two times I tried to watch The King's Speech, the story of King George VI and his struggle with his speech impediment, I fell asleep. I thought it was because I was tipsy both times or I turned it on too late. The third time, I made it through and I realized that the two times I conked out during the film were not due to alcohol consumption or need for shut-eye. No. It was because the film is kind of boring.

2) Colin Firth is a darn fine actor, and he does a very good job in the movie. This being said, I don't see why people were in such a rush to crown him with Oscar for this performance. I went into it expecting to be blown away by his work, and really it was a little underwhelming. I am now convinced that he was given the Oscar for portraying a guy with a speech impediment (the Academy loves characters with physical handicaps) or as a make-up call for not rewarding his incredible performance as a gay college professor struggling to recover from the loss of his partner in A Single Man. Maybe they should have given Firth the Oscar last year, and Jeff Bridges the Oscar for True Grit this year.

Happy Half-Birthday to the Nibble

The other day, I went into the nibble's room to re-cover him before going to bed and I stopped for a moment to just look at him. When did he get so big? The crib that once engulfed him now looked crowded with him and his three stuffed animals (or his "beebies" as he would call them).

Everyone tells you that kids grow up before you know it, but I really can't believe he is 18 months today. Not that I'm mourning the loss of his babyhood. Sure, dealing with full-on tantrums and actual discipline is a bit more challenging than the feed, cuddle, change diaper routine, but it's also much more rewarding. He's a like a little person, with his own ideas, mannerisms and dance moves. One of his big belly laughs is all I need to put a smile on my face. And sometimes, the highlight of my entire day is watching him clap when we get out of the car and he sees we're at the playground ... even though we've been there a million times before.

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Woodbridge Chardonnay

Woodbridge Chardonnay
Wine has a less disastrous impact on the mid-section than beer. So I am having a refreshing chardonnay from California's Woodbridge Winery. It has a crisp finish with an oakey aroma. Vibrant fruit flavor! Seriously, got that off the label. I know d*ck about wine. Jeez, I want a beer!

The Freezer Case: California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust Hawaiian Pizza

My wife would gladly tell you (if you didn't already know) that I write way too long for the blog format. I know. I am really impressed with my own wit and it drives me to be a little verbose. I want to remedy this, however, and I thought I would begin (and probably end) with this post.

It's about the California Pizza Kitchen Hawaiian Pizza, frozen variety. And, well, everything about it was wack. The crust was crunchy and tasteless. The sauce was bland and practically nonexistent, so we had to freshen it with some tomato sauce of our own. The cheese was nondescript and a little clumpy. Then they went ahead and skimped on the ham-and-pineapple toppings, which I thought was kind of weak. But once I thought about it, the toppings were no good, so who really cares? In short, there is absolutely nothing good about the California Pizza Kitchen's frozen Hawaiian pie.