The Tea Diary: Box #5

This time on “The Diary” I decided to go with a black tea blend from Twinings Classic collection called Irish Breakfast. I’ve never had tea from this company so I was a tad apprehensive to buy a full box of a tea I knew nothing about. Still how was I going to get a feel for what I like if I didn’t try it? Sometimes you have to go with that warm feeling in your gut.

Right out of the box, as it were, the bags are individually wrapped and that’s huge with me. I love wrappers because it allows me to throw a bag in a purse just in case… yeah I’m one of those. After opening the package I totally understood why. Irish tea is apparently synonymous with peete moss, or at least the smell of it. Ah the aroma of alfalfa.

Letting that first cup steep the cynic in me was steaming with doubt, and my office smelled like a cottage. Pros and cons in the tea world I suppose, but with the first sip it was clear the pros vastly out weighed the cons. Despite it’s over baring smell the taste was light but warming. The small bites of black tea seemed to mellow with a beautiful balanced finish. There wasn’t really a strong note, more of a soft hum through out the body of this brew.

Overall I approve of the Twinings brand, it’s a strong brew that doesn’t over power the pallet. In addition the pricing was modest and the added bonus of the packaging made it a strong contender.

Fink Master: An Ink Master Recap

So last night we saw what a sham Ink Masters really is with its totally useless and absurd finale.  In the previous year we were treated with to interviews with previous contestants, live tattooing with a purpose and clips of the artists tattooing in their home towns and we got that again, sort of.

This year’s crop of interviews seemed to be very light as they were constantly being cut off and redirected when they arrived at the overall feeling of favoritism that the artists felt the judges were applying to Scott Marshall.  Even the interview with Kyle Dunbar displayed the arrogance of the judges as Nunez danced around the issue and attempted to smooth it over.  In the end he came out looking like an even bigger tool.  Several times the idea of Peck and Nunez’s rule bending to help Scott was brought up only to have Dave swat them away and try to redirect to other lesser drama.  If you have to redirect people from the same ending more than three times, there is something wrong.

There was no tattoo off this year but, last year’s winner was there to tattoo live.  What I didn’t understand wasn’t why he was there but, how someone as talented as Mr. Hamilton is botched that design so badly.  Just goes to prove that maybe the judges don’t know everything because the finished product was jacked.

After all of that nonsense it was time for Dave to ask America to vote for their favorite artist and unveil the finished back pieces.  Right off the back there was a huge similarity between Sausage and Scott.  I mean they might have been asked to tattoo the same kinds of ideas, it was that freaky. 

During the critiques Sausage received great marks for his piece with very tiny nitpicks by Oliver Peck.  He was complemented by his use of space, skin breaks and over all flow of design.  Matti kind of blew this one with a very cluttered design that I felt was not open enough and just kind of faded into nothing.  That is one of the judges pet peeves so right there I knew Matti was out.  It was Scott who received an even harsher critique as his face was described as wonky and incorrectly shaped.  It was a multi colored blah in my opinion.

Sausage ended up winning America’s vote, but in the end that means nothing because the final word is up to the judges.  Keeping in mind everything that was said about his tattoo I braced myself for Sausages victory.  This was not to be; in a shocking turn of events the judges gave the title to Scott proving that it is flat out rigged.  The entire game was set up for Scott and everyone one watching knew it as the crowd hailed down “boos.”  It’s clear that this show isn’t in need of new artists; it’s in need of new judges.   

A Bats Day mini blurb

Oh my Goth! Let me tell you about Bat’s Day at the fun park!  This is one of my favorite Disney meet ups throughout the year, where the gothic community expresses their love of family and friendship at the happiest place on earth.

I want you to picture it in your mind.  You get to Disneyland, fight through the parking structure, hop on the tram, and get through the turnstile… suddenly, BAM!  You look around and there is a sea of black fabric and eyeliner.  Has the happiest place on earth given way to world of villians?  Nope, it’s just Bat’s Day a tradition that is 16 years strong and growing all the time.

So why do I love it?  Well, when you walk in and you see someone who is dressed smartly in gothic threads with a huge smile, you just want to smile too.  It embraces the idea of acceptance and family that I think sometimes we forget.  Bats day allows us to enjoy the park for who we are and express ourselves with every “freak” bone in our bodies… I can’t wait for next year…

For more information please check out their website and maybe join us next year!

http://www.batsday.net/home/home.html

Drop DEAD: A Drop Dead Diva Recap

Air born toxin, bullet fragments and public indecency oh my, the cast of Drop Dead Diva certainly had a faith shattering week and the viewers from California had a bit of a laugh.  We pick up our story in the hospital as we all await Grayson’s recovery from the shooting the pervious episode.  For a law firm that does so much public good, Harrison and Parker certainly faces a more than fair share of bullets and death threats.  Even with the staggering statistics of workplace violence it appears that Grayson too is going to be able to walk away from this incident, with a souvenir even, as a fragment is lodged in his body and the doctors are not able to remove it… Enjoy that one airport security!

Still, in the wake of tragedy the outside world must propel of band of players forward as Kim’s father is arrested for public indecency and Jane is asked to represent a sick girl who has been sent to the hospital after being exposed to air born toxin.  Doesn’t that sound absolutely serious?  Well, the toxin made me smile because what is being blamed is pepper from a hot sauce factory.  Now, if you live in California like I do, you laughed a little inside.  This is obviously using the siracha hot sauce factory complaint that has been circling the drain of the news lately.  Cute diva, really cute.  Still, despite the silly sound of the dispute I looked into it.  Pepper in the air from a hot sauce plant is no laughing matter.  The effects can lead to breathing problems, impaired vision, dizziness, or sore throats.  Pepper gas is no laughing matter.

I do believe I mentioned public indecency, didn’t I?  Well, it seems that Larry has gotten himself into a bit of a pickle at a local hotel pool, but what is even more shocking is the fact that Kim gets to meet his new flame.  And by flame I mean wife.  That right Kim, even your father is getting married before you.  As you can imagine this is a bit of a shock for poor Kim but she is able to get the lovers out of hot water if only for a moment.  It would appear, like all cases at Harrison and Parker there is more to the story of our lovers, and it involves a bit of shinny happiness, his teenage brides wedding ring.  Apparently, Kim’s mom has decided to enact a 23year old claim on the ring and wants to enlist Kim to help her, but more on that in a moment.

Back to the peppers, Jane succeeds in shutting down the plant, but is in turn sued by the workers when they learn the firm also represents a rival hot sauce company.  Damn you spice war!  So now Jane must fight to keep the firm out of bankruptcy and find a way to get the plant back up and running.  Of course our Jane catches a break Siracha wishes they could catch when she discovered the affected people had also been exposed to a banned fuel additive that has leaked into the water table from an abandoned chemical plant.  The real fight will be getting the government agency that now controls the property to clean it up in time to get the peppers ground for the year’s supply of sauce, and wouldn’t you know it, the agency does not want to comply.

At the hospital, Grayson has decided he doesn’t want to waste any more time.  In a moment of Carpe Dieum he has decided to propose to Jane when he is released and sends Stacy out to get the ring.  Why telling your intended’s “bestie” that you are about to propose is probably not what you really should do but at this point everyone knew it was coming.  So Larry got married, Stacy said yes to Owen and Grayson is going to ask Jane… Hurray for wedding season… I guess.

You want to know who isn’t happily married.  Kim’s Parents!  That’s right somehow the divorce was never filed which makes the bigamists.  Bigamy may sound like a stupid charge, but did you know they can put you away for a year because of it?!  That’s right they are sentenced to a year a piece unless they come to an agreement about the stupid ring and sign the official divorce.  This is a good reason to never get married huh?  Well at least not to Kim’s mom who intends to extort more alimony out of Larry. 

Back in the world of air born toxins, it is Paul that actually saves the day on this one.  By utilizing the teachings of Terri he comes up with nothing, and this instance nothing is everything.  The chemical plant had been operating on an expired temporary permit and paying off the agency for years to keep quiet about the chemicals leaking into the water table.  How does this keep happening?!  Seriously?!  Using this information Jane saves the day for both sick people and plant workers… Ode to Jane, err, joy… Whatever.

Kim’s case of course takes another turn when it turns out that the source of all the spite isn’t the ring at all.  Instead her mother is upset that Kim has a relationship with her father and she feels edged out.  I thought this was crazy until I realized this could be me some day and now I’m starting to wonder if or when the “where’s my dad?” question is going to come…  Still we are left with the idea that a family is always going to be connected and we should be at least civil so that everyone gets to have a relationship with the ones you love.

Speaking of relationships, Grayson’s proposal is on the horizon as he’s being released.  That is, until the alarms go off.  The fragment has dislodged and now Grayson has gone into cardiac arrest.  Fighting the revive him the doctors scramble frantically but it’s too late.  In a bizarre circle it is now “Deb” who loses Grayson.  That’s right folks, it’s like they just aren’t meant to be together.     

My Tornado Potato... Pretty much what it sounds like...

At the bubble run after party I came across this little food truck that sells spiral cut potatoes with different seasonings.  Sounds pretty basic, and truth be told it was however there were severely warming and comforting flavor a to chose from.  In addition to seasoning there were also chili covered options, sweet potato options, and even zucchini!

We decided to try the garlic and oil, jalapeño, and sweet potato with cinnamon ans sugar.  Personally I'm a sucker for anything with garlic, but I think these were way more focused on oil than the garlic.  No bueno.

The sweet potato with cinnamon and sugar was a hit with the kids.  Being a sweet potato it was like a cake more than a potato but the cinnamon and sugar just seemed lost. 

As for the jalapeño, I couldn't taste it until you swallowed and then it was nothing more than an annoying burn.  Meh...

And how much did we pay? Anywhere from 6.50 to 7.50 a piece... Yeah next time I'll pass...

The bubble run! A day of bubble fun!

In the spirit of trying to be more healthy yours truly decided to run the bubble run on Saturday May 15th.  I have to say I was blown away with the all around smoothness that this 5k was put together with.  

So what is the bubble run?  Well, the idea is to run 5k through a marked out track that will take you through 4 colored bogs that house 8' high walls of suds.  What could be more fun than a wall of bubbles?!  The idea is that you wear a white shirt and by the end your tie dyed in awesome.  The draw back?  The color stains... Everything but the shirt.  Still, Hunter was able to run it and after some convincing decided that he can survive the looming bubble walls.  

At the end of the run was huge bog of soapy goodness.  The after party was totally worth the heat and the effort.  All in all the the day was an amazing day for families...

Godzilla!: A giant hit to the feels!

The summer block busters are coming out swinging with the latest adaptation of everyone’s favorite gigantic reptile, Godzilla!  I was fortunate enough to be taken to see this epic cinematic master piece in Imax 3-D and let me tell you, it makes all the difference in the world.  Adorable Adam spoils me, what can I say?

So right out of the gates, the concept really vibes with the conspiracy theorists.  I will say, it was nice to see them actually reference events that could actually have been possible.  The opening credits were pulled nicely; so many times directors forget that these set the pace for your film.  If you don’t believe me, go watch Seven again.  That film was sold on the idea of the opening credits.  When it moved forward, the set design was purely amazing as it takes you straight into the belly of a beast, no really they cave into the skeletal remains of a beast. 

It’s so hard to write this and not give anything away, and since I really hate to be the one to ruin a film I want to focus on the acting.  Now, one of the big draws for this movie is that it stars Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, he did not disappoint.  The range that this man is able to achieve with just his facial expressions is ground breaking.  I want to say that it was his eyes; they read so deeply on film that you start to feel everything all at once.  Another high point for me was rolling out the traditional Asian flair of Godzilla with Ken Wantanabe.  All I can say is that it felt a little type casted but really, where is Godzilla without the all-knowing Japanese scientist to insist that Godzilla is not the evil force but works with us to restore balance.  At the other end of the spectrum however is Elizabeth Olson who severely needed the strengths of other actors to carry her flat performance through the film.  It’s sad how we as an audience have started to accept flat and emotionless dialogue as acting from our female leads.  I blame the idea of wrinkles, I mean that must be why; if you don’t move your face you won’t wrinkle.  So, in Scarlett Johanssen is going to have a perfect face forever!

As for the film itself, if you are any kind of fan of the original films you need to go.  I know the concept is scary, given the way we were let down by Matthew Broderick.  Still, this film brought back to us (me, Adam and his coworker friend) the ideas we loved about traditional Godzilla.  The face was that was kind of dog dinosaur looking, the scream was dead on and the destruction was delicious.  The battle scenes were choreographed in such a way that my childhood felt it, and in the midst of it all was real heart and family. 

This movie was such a relief from the past few reboots that have been circling the drain.  I personally think it was because they took the time to connect with both story and character and made sure to relate both to the audience.  You want to cheer when Godzilla arrives, you get lost in the intense framing, all of it is a testament to the talent of a real dynamite team.  Bravo!