I’ve been reading a lot more since I purchased the Kindle. I thought it might be a good time to start sharing some of the titles that keep be entertained.
I setup an “Amazon Associates” account to give you quick access to the Kindle titles (as well as links to the paper versions). Using the link will give me a (small) kick back from Amazon for the referral.
I’ll continue to add to the library as time goes on. Happy reading!
Tags: Mad Men, Sesame Street
Dear Mr. Schultz (Chairman and CEO of Starbucks),
First of all I would like to thank you for your company and products. I appreciate the ability to spin around 3 times and face one of your establishments when I stop. I also appreciate the ability to use all of those $5 bills I have cluttering my wallet on a Venti Cafè Americano.
What I DON’T appreciate is watching 3 cars in your drive-thru being serviced for every one customer inside. Look, I actually parked my car (in the designated spot) and walked into your store to make my purchase. I can tell you’ve spent a lot of money trying to impress me and liberate more $5 bills from my wallet. You’re a business, I get that. Sometimes it works!
I find it absolutely infuriating to place my order and watch drink after drink from the “outside” be processed in front of mine. You always have twice as many Baristas working that tiny little window than you do the big expansive counter.
T
he little treats you put out for me are a nice touch but the guy in front of me always seems to have taken the last one. The sole employee manning the inside counter is too busy helping the window to notice. As a point of reference I actually SAVE you labor costs as I put my own flair in my drink at the little self serve counter!
All I’m asking for is a little respect when I enter your store, after all, I’m taking the time to enjoy the “experience” and I might even stick around and visit for a while. I assume that was your intention when you started oh so many years ago.
Please Mr. Schultz, please consider the customer who cares. The customer who sees, and buys, all of those leftover holiday items in January to free up shelf space for the Spring Collection. The customer who uses your free wireless services you have invested in. The customer who cares enough to bring this matter to your attention.
Tags: Howard Schultz, Starbucks
After a LONG run with the Mach-3 I decided to take a chance with the newest crop of razor systems on the market. I picked up a Gillette Fusion Power razor at the local megamart & gave it a try.
I must admit I was pretty skeptical that this “new and improved” razor would be any better than my current kit.
I’m a firm believer that shave prep is what makes the difference. I always shave in the shower after letting by shave cream of choice do it’s magic.
The Fusion razor has 5 tightly spaced blades on the front and a single blade on the back for those hard to reach places. The Power model has a vibrating handle that is supposed to make the razors work even better.
To be honest it was love at first stroke. There was a noticeable difference in the feel of this razor as opposed to the 3-blade unit I’ve been using for years. The initial thought was that I was not applying enough pressure. It just did not feel like it was doing anything.
I quickly found out it was not only doing something it was doing it with far less effort than I’ve ever had to use before! I’m a pretty meticulous shaver and I actually ended up overdoing it. Afterward I did have a slight case of razor burn but that was my own fault. Subsequent uses have cured that problem (as did a liberal use of Zirh Sooth) & I’m growing more and more impressed with this razor every day.
If you are growing tired of your current shaving regimen and you’re looking for a change, check out the Gillette Fusion series of razors. Like anything in the shaving world, the refills are where Gillette makes their money. I’ve read online that people are getting over a month out of each cartridge. I can live with that! I’ll plan on reporting back later this year with a long-term review of the Gillette Fusion Power razor.
After a 3 month reading hiatus I’m one again getting a lot of use out of the Amazon Kindle I purchased last last year. The latest title to be delivered by WhisperSync is “Sh*t My Dad Says” by Justin Halpern.
From the Publisher: After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, twenty-eight-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is “like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair,” has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him…
What started as a Twitter account that posted the various things his father said, Mr. Halpern collected the quotes and stories and turned them into a book. CBS has even picked the concept up and is turning it into a sitcom staring William Shatner! I personally think Jerry Stiller would have been a better choice…
About the Book: Sh*t my Dad Says is a very quick read. With short chapters and pages of one liners it’s a book that’s easy to pickup and read for a few minutes at a time. If you take it on a trip you could finish it in a day. If you are easily offended by profanity (especially the F-Bomb) you will not like this book. If you’re unsure, check out the Twitter feed first.
The star of the book is the dad. The constant stream of one liners that come out of his mouth are priceless, unique and hilarious. You want to keep reading so you’ll keep laughing. Unfortunately the book ends too soon. Amazon is selling the Kindle version for $9.99 & I’ve seen the book in stores for $14.99. This is one of those titles you can buy, read & pass on to friends & family.
If you’re looking for a fun and witty book for the summer, add Sh*t My Dad Says to your list.
Tags: Humor, Summer Reading
Here’s the 26-page “Guide” (MIL-C-44072C) to making the perfect military Cookies & Brownies. As typical with any government document it leaves nothing to chance and has more references to other documents than actual ingredients!
On another note, THANK YOU to all of the military service personnel past & present. It is your sacrifice that has made the United States of America what it is today & there is NO PLACE I would rather LIVE!
Tags: Brownies, Cookies, Memorial Day, Military
A “Greasy Spoon” that’s served downtown Noblesville for decades has been transformed into a gem of a diner, and just gained some loyal fans!
Having lived in Noblesville from age of 12 to 24, I’ve eaten at at the Uptown Cafe on a number of occasions. I always remembered it as a smokey little hole in the wall with OK coffee and so so service. It’s changed hands few times but never really changed. That’s until now…
The Uptown Cafe’s new owner purchased the place about two years ago. She’s updated the interior to give it a more modern (contemporary) feel. It’s still a small place that only seats about 30 p eople at a time, and when we visited on a Saturday morning we were fortunate to get a seat at the counter.
Before I talk about our experience I have to mention the disappointment I had with the CUSTOMERS!
<Soapbox ON> You walk into a SMALL diner on a SATURDAY morning in a BUSY downtown setting. If the place is any good you’re most likely going to have to wait a few minutes to get seated. It’s a beautiful May morning and there is ample seating for you and your uptight mother to wait outside. I’m sorry that the 6-top in the back is not immediately available for you. Had the owner known royalty was going to be visiting I’m sure she would have sterilized the area and roped it off for you the night before. I appreciate we live in the Land of the Free, but do you REALLY have to stand right next to me and expel your displeasure all over MY breakfast? How about you try Denny’s next time and take that crappy attitude with you… <Soapbox OFF>
Back to the Uptown… The weekend menu is limited but has enough selection to make everyone happy. This is, after all, a diner and once you see the short order station you’ll understand the limited selection. Speaking of Short Order, the cook they have is a lot of fun to watch. We sat at the counter and were amazed at the speed and efficiency she displayed while working on no less than 6 orders at a time.
After getting settled and ordering a cup of coffee (GOOD coffee) I ordered the Uptown Biscuits and Gravy (with hash browns and an egg) and Zoe (my foodie daughter) ordered the Brown Sugar and Buttermilk Hotcakes (with chocolate chips) and THICK cut bacon.
One of the things I like about sitting at the counter of a small place is the ability to watch the preparation of your food and the movement of your ticket from printer, across the rack and onto the spike (or in this case the trash).
About 10 minutes after we placed our order it was out turn to enjoy the food. Zoe’s pancakes were off the chart good. I would do without the chocolate chips as they were flavorful enough on their own. My Uptown Biscuits and Gravy came served in a bowl. First time I’ve seen this and it works well! Great scratch made biscuit with sausage cream gravy. Exactly what I was wanting…
Total with tip was a little over $20, not bad for the portions and atmosphere. We will be returning again SOON as I want to check out the other menu items I watched being prepared right in front of me.
The Uptown Cafe is located at 809 Conner St, Noblesville, IN 46060. They also cater and offer a selection of sandwiches, boxed lunches & even breakfast items. Details on their website.
Tags: Breakfast, Diner, Noblesville
I love good french fries (pommes frites) & have made them at home on a couple of occasions. It’s not as easy as you would think! Kenji Lopez over at the Serious Eats Burger Lab has an in depth article explaining how to make the prefect french fry.
While I’m on the subject, you can get a great batch of pommes frites at the Brugge Brassary in Broad Ripple.
Tags: French Fries, Pommes Frites
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