2025 January Update

Photo of The Month:
This month’s featured image was taken facing West on Ohio St in Downtown Indianapolis while I sat at the light. I enjoyed the blue-skied sunrise behind me and the moon’s brightness above the horizon to the west.


What’s Going On:
A lot has happened since my last post in June 2024 (mostly good!). 2025 is a new year, and I was fortunate to have 2.5 weeks off work at the end of the year to reflect and reset. I felt it was time to fire the blog back up with monthly updates and a familiar format that allows me to add to it as the month progresses. I also decided I should start adding context to the Featured Image each month when it’s a picture I took.


What I’m Buying:
I rearranged my reading nook in the front room to make it more cozy and added a few elements. I’ve been dedicating at least 2 hours most evenings to reading and reducing my TV time (which consists of many YouTube videos). The Kindle Paperwhite has been getting a workout. I’ve seen wireless page-turners previously and was intrigued. Since you have to touch the screen of the Kindle to advance to the next page, it limits how you can sit and hold the device. With the page tuner, you can sit however you want, prop the Kindle up (I put it on a raised leg or a small folding stand on the end table), and push a remote button to advance pages. It’s a small thing, but I can sit for hours reading without interruption or discomfort.

I also picked up a mug warmer to keep my coffee/tea warm when I’m really into a book. I got tired of grabbing a cold mug after 30 minutes. I thought the rechargeable Ember mugs were interesting but they are really expensive. The mug warmers are under $20 and the one I purchased has 3 heat settings and an adjustable auto-off timer.

I bought the new iPad Mini 7 in October, which has 512 GB of storage and a cellular modem (basically the maxed-out edition). It was not cheap, but I have been amazed by the little mini’s versatility! The cellular modem allows me to have always-on internet and not have to try to find Wi-Fi (or hot-spot off my phone) when I’m out and about.


What I’m Eating:
I guarantee I’ve eaten every day since my last post, so I won’t bore you with that. Lately, I’ve been visiting Broad Ripple to check out the Winter Farmers Market and Ripple Bagel & Deli on non-market days and on the way into the office.

Located inside the old BR High School (now a middle school?), the market is bigger than I remember in years past, and it has a nice mix of vendors. Shout out to Schacht Farm for having some of the best meat I’ve had in a LONG time. Their sage breakfast sausage, chorizo, bacon, and sandwich ham are all very high quality, and each one is delicious. I plan on dedicating a shelf on the garage freezer to their products soon.

Another vendor I was very impressed with was U-Relish Slow Cooker Meals. They used to have a stall in the Indianapolis City Market, and I honestly never paid much attention to them. Shame on me because I have been missing out on their products! I picked up a black bean chili mix, and the owner recommended I add some chorizo to it if I wanted a little kick. So you know who I visited next!

Ripple Bagel & Deli has a dizzying array of options on its expansive menu!

Ripple Bagel & Deli

When I was in London in 2023, the Salted Beef Bagel was a game changer, and the Brick Lane Beigel Bake will be my first stop when I return. Ripple Bagel & Deli has a menu item called the Monon Roadkill that is about as close to the London sandwich as I can get in Indy. It consists of Pastrami, double Swiss, and horseradish on an onion bagel, and it scratches that itch for now. I need to remember to add pickles the next time I order it.


Where I’ve Been:
Since the last post, I’ve not traveled much, but I ended up in Boston for work last September. I really enjoyed the food we had there. Our group tried to catch a game at Fenway, but it ended up gettingrained out.

Fenway Park

I attended a Teivery Corporation concert at the Vogue. It was my first time seeing a show there, and it was the best concert venue I’ve ever been to. I’m not much for loud noises, and the acoustics and sound levels for this show were very nice. I had a very enjoyable time.

Thievery Corporation at The Vogue

During the holiday break, I traveled over to Dayton to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum (an amazing facility that everyone should visit at least once)

Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum

What I’m Watching:
I use TV Time to track all the shows I watch. It allows me to find out when new episodes become available and to remember where I left off when I don’t watch for a while. 

  • Anthony Bourdain – No Reservations (rewatch from the beginning)
  • Hell’s Kitchen Season 23
  • Below Deck Sailing Season 5
  • Northern Exposure (rewatch from the beginning)
  • Squid Game Season 2

What I’m Reading:
Colony Mars (7-book series) by Gerald M. Kilby
I’m through the fourth book and was hooked from the first one. I’ve never thought of myself as a sci-fi fan, but this series is a good way to dip your toes in because it’s not so far-fetched. I could see this being somewhat realistic in 20 years (if not sooner).

Colony Mars Series



What Else:
I traded in the trusty Subaru Crosstrek for a new Subaru Ascent. It’s a night and day difference in size and performance, with that familiar Subaru look and feel. I only have a couple thousand miles on it so far, but just about everything about the car is perfect. Gas mileage is much less than the Trek’s, but it’s worth it for the capabilities and capacity I’ve gained with their flagship larger SUV.

I’m still “playing radio” (Amateur “Ham” Radio) when I have time. So far I have been in contact with 127 countries and have exchanged QSL (post) Cards with about 50 stations from around the world. I may make a gallery on the Blog to showcase more interesting ones I’ve received.


And Finally…

2024 June Update

What’s Going On:
June went by just as fast as May. I’m sensing a pattern in 2024 as the days blend together, and the weekends go by WAY too quickly. Our office was closed on July 4th and 5th (and I took the 3rd off as a PTO day). So, at least, I feel like I’ve gotten a break. I have a busy couple of weeks at work coming up that I need to prepare for.

I just realized that in June, I had lived in the same house for 20 years. It doesn’t seem like yesterday, but I was surprised to see it was 20 years ago. I’m doing everything I can to pay off this place before I even think about retiring. There is nothing like NOT having a house payment when you decide to give up the 9-5 grind. I don’t see myself retiring 100% anytime soon, but not having a house payment gives you more options to do something different.

Luckily, I moved from a career that could be a daily grind (IT Consulting) to something I enjoy (Operations). I’m still involved in the IT aspects of the company, but I like the other parts, like organizational operations and HR the most. We’re moving our office in October, and that’s a project I enjoy being involved in as well.


What I’m Buying:
If you’ve never tried a shampoo bar, it’s a game changer. It’s like a bar of soap, but for your hair, it’s much easier to travel with than liquid shampoo. C.O. Bigelow sells the Badger brand shampoo bar, and I ordered one a few months ago.

As soon as I used it for the first time at home, I ordered another one for my DOP kit. They seem to be out of it at the moment, but I was able to find it on Amazon at the link above.

Speaking of DOP Kits, I ordered the Tom Bihn Standard Spiff Kit (in Sangria 210 Cerylon) for my shorter trips in June. I have an awesome canvas DOP kit that I use on longer trips, but for 2-3 nights away, I wanted something a little smaller as I have learned how to pack lighter and NOT check a bag. In fact, I traveled over a week in Thailand last February with only a carry-on and a personal item. My Switzerland/Paris/London trip last September taught me never to check a bag again if I could help it.

I had never heard the term “Kitchen Candle” before reading this article in Food and Wine. I ordered a Vanilla Kitchen Candle from Amazon, and there really IS a difference! The scent is a lot less strong and helps cover up those smells left over from the last dish you cooked. I’m a fan and will keep one of these around from now on.

I love my flashlights, and I finally pulled the trigger on the (newish) Olight Arkfeld Pro. It has upgraded specs from the original Arkfeld (now in my car), but now it’s “Pro” and has a green laser! This one is now in my EDC because you never know when you need to laser-point something. 🙂


What I’m Eating:
I watched a YouTube Video from America’s Test Kitchen about Cast Iron Pizza a few weeks ago. I love pizza and had to try this out. Let’s just say I’ve fixed two in the last two weeks, and I’m never going back to frozen or delivery. The cheater’s move is to purchase pre-made pizza dough (and sauce) from Fresh Thyme. It saves you a lot of time, and they both taste delicious.

I was in Huntington, Indiana, the other day and finally got a chance to try the tenderloin at Nicks Kitchen. The place is pretty small, and they had a decent lunch crowd. I sat at the lunch counter and placed my order (with pickles, mayo, mustard, and onions).

This sandwich did not disappoint, and it lived up to the hype! The crinkle-cut fries (with Mama Selita’s Jalapeno Tomato Ketchup) and freshly made iced tea rounded out the meal. The total price was around $20 with a tip. Service was attentive, and I’d 100% return here again when I was in the area.


What I’m Watching:
I started the latest season of The Bear, and it’s just not holding my attention. The other two seasons were just OK. It’s just not living up to the hype for me. I do enjoy the chef cameos and the random Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the shows, but I’m not sure I’ll finish it any time soon.


What I’m Reading:
I just finished a 13-hour audiobook by A. American called Going Home. It’s the first book in The Survivalist Series (I’m looking forward to starting book two called Surviving Home). I didn’t realize I liked the dystopian genre, but I enjoyed this book. In fact, I decided to start watching “The Last of Us” on HBO because of it. I’m only 1 episode in, but I really like it so far.

I tried Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited 30-day trial but can’t justify the $11 a month when I have had good luck getting books from the local library using Hoopla and Libby. That’s where I got the Going Home audiobook (for free).


What Else:
Chat GPT released a desktop app for the Mac, and I have been playing around to see if it’s helpful. So far, when it comes to writing, I’ve found Grammarly to be easier to use, but at $150 a year, I might not be renewing. Some AI features in an upcoming MacOS release will render Grammarly an expensive add-on that will probably no longer be needed.


And Finally…
The most significant Security Flaw in North America

2024 May Update

What’s Going On:
WHERE did May go? I’m sitting here today doing my weekly Review, and it finally hit me that it’s JUNE (and halfway through June at that)!


What I’m Buying:
My Everyday Carry (EDC) is pretty standard: wallet, watch, keys, phone, knife, and light. Sometimes, I pocket some pepper spray, depending on the situation. The individual items rotate (like a dive watch vs. an Apple watch or a money clip vs. a wallet), but they’re always consistent and in their respective pockets.

My blade of choice this last year has been the 945 Mini Osborne (in Green Aluminum). It’s a great knife and has held up well for daily carry. But it’s a little on the heavy side when wearing lightweight clothing.

Mini Osborne

While walking back to the car from the Broad Ripple Art Fair, we stopped at Rusted Moon Outfitters to look around (and to see if they still had their 20% off sale going on). I missed the sale but still walked out with a new (and much lighter) Benchmade. The Mini Bugout (CF-Elite) is a perfect summer pocket carry since it only weighs 1.5oz. The weight saving comes from the Carbon fiber-reinforced scales. Add to that a Cerakote blade & you’re looking at a nice low-profile and versatile slicer.

Mini Bugout

The Mini Bugout needed to be broken in a bit to get that trademark Benchmade open/close action, but it didn’t take long, and it’s been in my pocket every day since.


What I’m Eating:
Babish Culinary Universe has been posting some interesting “Ranking Every…” videos lately, and one caught my eye: Ranking 46 Kinds of Ramen. If you’ve visited an Asian Speciality store, you have undoubtedly seen the mind-numbing combinations and variety of Ramen. We’re not talking about the standard Top Ramen found at the local Stop-and-Shop for $0.50 a pack.

Spoiler Alert, his favorite turned out to be Buldak Quattro Cheese Ramen Hot Chicken Flavor. I turned to Amazon to help me find it.

Spotted when I visited Thailand in February 2024

This stuff is GOOD! It’s like Kraft Mac & Cheese powder meets ramen noodles, but it also has another pouch of flavor that brings the heat. I must warn you, this stuff is HOT! I used half the hot packet on my first bowl and regretted it immediately. I backed off quite a bit the next time I fixed it, and it was a delicious bowl of instant spicy cheesy ramen!

I thought the packaging looked familiar, and I went back and looked through my Thailand Trip photos from earlier this year. Sure enough, I had sent the picture above to my son while I was there.

If you’re into Instant Ramen, I recommend checking out the Buldak Quattro Cheese Ramen Hot Chicken Flavor. If you do, let me know what you think!

If you’re looking for a good quality lunch, I recommend you check out Slapfish in the Fishers District. I’ve gone there for lunch the past couple of Fridays (working from home) and had some really good fish and chips! Lunch out for under $20? I’ll take it.

Lastly, the old O’Charley’s in Fishers has been turned into a Sports Bar called Walk-Ons. We visited a few weeks ago to try out the Shrimp PoBoys. They were pretty tasty. We were looking for a substitute for B’s Po Boy, who used to be in Fountain Square Pre-COVID. These were very close with the bread (from New Orleans) being the missing ingredient (although the hoagie roll at Walk-ons is decent). For a basic Po Boy, they scratch that itch. In fact, I went back the following week and got another one for lunch! The sleeper item on the menu at Walk-Ons is the HUSH PUPPIES! Get them as an app or a side & thank me later.


Where I’ve Been:
The first weekend in May found me in Marion, IN, attending a small regional Amateur Radio swap meet. I didn’t have very high expectations, but it turned out to be a nice show with a few radio guys I’ve talked to on the air and was able to meet for the first time. I also got a good deal on some antennas to use with my receiving equipment (scanners and stuff).

Of course, in May, you go out to the track! I was out there for some work events & didn’t go to the race. It ended up raining & delaying everything anyway, so that would have been an awful time at IMS this year. I ended up watching it on TV like everyone else when they lifted the blackout. Indy Car will be on Fox next year & I’m hearing people say the Indy 500 will be televised live. I’ll believe it when I watch it.

At the end of May I went camping with a good friend of mine down at Hardin Ridge. We had a good time catching up and playing around with some Amateur Radio equipment once the sun went down.

Lastly, I checked out the Fishers Farmers Market a few Saturdays ago. The markets keep getting better! I walked away with a package of pepperoni Rolls from one of the Amish vendors. They were really good!


What I’m Reading:
Jenny Lawson is back with another introspective into her life called Broken (in the best way possible). It’s been a great read so far. I got about 25% through it in the first sitting. It can be a little dark as she walks you through her mental and physical disorders, but she has a lot of laugh-out-loud moments that make the book a must-read. Her previous books have been just as enjoyable to read as well. If you’re looking for a light-hearted look at life from someone with a very active imagination, Jenny might be an author you’d like to read!


What Else:
That’s about it for May. It went WAY too fast & June is already half over. The weather is finally catching up to us, with 90+ degree days in the forecast for the next couple of weeks. A group of us are going over to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the Olympic Swim Trials. We were able to get suite tickets, so that should be enjoyable. We also arranged a behind-the-scenes tour to see how they pulled this event off. I should have some pictures in the next blog post.


And Finally…
The maddening mess of airport codes.

2024 April Update

What’s Going On:
On Saturday, 09 April 2016, my son and I released a “Travel Bug” named “Nigel Wants to Race” into the wild. Little did we know it would still be active eight years later. The Travel Bug’s goal was to visit 100 caches in 100 cities in honor of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016.

I just received an update after a long absence. Nigel is back on the move again & so far has traveled 41,295.4 miles and has been logged 751 times.


What I’m Watching:

Fallout – Amazon Prime – Based on the amazing gaming franchise, the TV adaptation has been well-received by fans (and nominated for multiple awards). I thought they did a really good job bringing the aspects of the game to the live action screen and it makes me want to play the game again. It’s already been picked up for a second season and I’m looking forward to it.

Ripley – Netflix – This was a big surprise. Set in Europe and 100% black and white, it was a very captivating show with some nice twists. The sub-titles got a little tiresome, but they were worth it in the end.


What I’m Buying:
Coffee, lots of coffee. We picked up a new coffee maker that does Drip, Nespresso & and Keurig, so it’s very flexible. I used to poo-poo Keurig coffee because, evidently, I wasn’t drinking the right stuff. Enter Peet’s Big Bang, Medium Roast Pods. These are delicious and brew a properly strong cup. And I now understand the convenience of the K-Cup pods.

As for Nespresso, I can now enjoy a decent shot of espresso on demand. It’s not the same as a proper coffee shop espresso pull, but it works for homebrew (and again, the convenience).


And Finally…
The Interstate’s Forgotten Code. I thought I understood the Interstate Numbering system, but I learned a few things from this video. It’s worth a watch.

2023 Week 49 – This is the Voice of America

What’s Going On:
Lots of things getting in the way of blogging recently. All good, but this time of year can get very busy as we plan for the holiday festivities and try to complete outstanding projects before winter break.

I’m fortunate that my company closes from Christmas to the New Year so that should give me some time to get things caught up and, hopefully, back on a better blogging schedule.


What I’m Eating:
Wurst-n-Weinet at the Fishers Test Kitchen has a HUGE soft pretzel on the menu on Thursday nights. It’s worth checking out if you’re in the area, but get there early, they sell out every week!


Where I’ve Been:
I visited the Voice of America museum in Cincinnati a few weeks ago. What an amazing place! The history is very interesting and the museum tour was a lot of fun! They also have a very nice Amateur Radio station setup that I enjoyed checking out too.


And Finally…
Henry Kissinger, who died this week at 100, outlived the obituary writer of his obituary writer…

2023 Week 39 – Say (Swiss) Cheese!

What’s Going On:
We’re getting ready for this year’s Leadership Exchange in Zurich, Switzerland. We had delegates start arriving on Saturday and planned a cruise on Lake Zurich while waiting for the final attendees to arrive (and to help people stay awake).

We officially started things on Sunday with a Labor Market Overview and a deep dive into the Swiss Dual Education System. It might not sound interesting, but it really WAS! Kids in Switzerland have an alternate path from college and often pick and start their careers as young as 15.


What I’m Buying:
Chocolate, LOTS of chocolate. My (checked) bag was 43.7 pounds when I left Indy, and after visiting the Lindt Factory, it feels a LOT heavier than the 50-pound bag of salt I used to bring home from Costco. I might need to purchase a bag to put all my dirty clothes in to lighten up the main bag (I actually did have to visit a sporting goods store in London to offload some dirty laundry into and lighten up my checked bag)…


What I’m Eating:
Before all the delegates arrived, a few of us went to an Italian restaurant that was a favorite of the pre-trip team (they made 2 visits to Zurich before the main event). Restaurant Hirschberg Is a place you’re unlikely to find on your own. It’s tucked along a busy side street we took countless times to get to our various destinations throughout the week. It’s run by a husband and wife team, and one of their friends is the evening server. The wife is in the front of the house, and the husband is in the back, making whatever has been concocted with their guests. Our starter aperitif was a glass of Prosecco with a splash of Amaretto mixed in. Something I have never had and something I will be recreating once I get home.

The menu is handwritten and seems more like a suggestion than a set of courses. You can choose to make any of the selections an appetizer or a main dish. We ordered a little bit of everything for the table and enjoyed every bite. One interesting thing they do is use these small square pottery dishes with a roughed-up section in the middle. This allows you to rub a garlic clove in it and infuse your oil to dip your bread into. These are so popular with guests they have them available to purchase by their guests ( I bought several).

This meal was one of the top 5 meals I’ve ever eaten. It was spread out over 3+ hours, but didn’t feel like It at all. If I ever return to Zurich, it is the first place I will be going.


Where I’ve Been:
We spent a morning at the FIFA Museum and an afternoon at the Lindt Chocolate Factory.

I saw this very odd building while traveling through town & was surprised to learn what it was.

The Swissmill Tower (or the “Kornhaus Zurich”) is the tallest operating grain elevator in the world. Standing at 118 meters (387 ft), it is the second-tallest building in the Swiss city of Zürich. This huge building is in the heart of the city & sits on the Limmat River that feeds into Lake Zurich.


What Else:
I’m working my way back to Indy via Paris and London (taking a train to both locations) & will post updates once I get back stateside.


And Finally…
Turning a Lego C-3PO into 18K C-3PGOLD

2023 Week 38 – International Travel

What’s Going On:
I just flew into Zurich and, boy, are my arms tired! Sorry for the old joke but crossing the Atlantic is no joke! I’m visiting for work and part of the support staff for a Leadership Exchange trip bringing approximately 100 CEOs and elected officials to Zurich Switzerland to learn about the apprenticeship process that’s so popular there.

I had a 4pm departure from Indianapolis, and a short layover in Philadelphia (enough to smash a cheesesteak and beer) before flying overnight to Zurich. The flight was uneventful but I could not get more than a few minutes sleep at a time. The older couple sitting next to me were pleasant and after a long 8 hours we arrived.

Customs was a LONG wait as several big flights arrived around the same time and they were short staffed. Several of the passport stations were manned by people in training (as evident from the signed in the window). As soon as it was my turn the employee in training was replaced buy a guy who was not too happy to be at work that day.

  • Him: “Business or Pleasure”
  • Me: “Work Conference”
  • Him: “How many days in Europe?”
  • Me: “11”
  • Him: *Thunk-Stamp* “Wellcome to Zurich”

Pretty simple process! It’s 9am and the plan is to stay up all day, have a nice meal and crash around 11pm to get acclimated to the time change.


What I’m Watching:
I watched Murder Mystery 2 on the flight over, It wasn’t as good as the first one (sequels rarely are) but it helped pass the time.

I was impressed with the selection available for inflight entertainment, and they even had seat to seat chat so I messaged a couple co-workers that were also on the flight.


What I’m Reading:
Still working on the Grocery book by Michael Ruhlman, and started reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. I want to finish that one before the AppleTV series comes out later this year.


What Else:
This is my fourth Leadership Exchange trip and it usually consists of early mornings, late nights, and a lot of good food and group activities. This year we are spending time at the FIFA Museum, and Lindt Chocolate Factory. But first, I need to head down to the dock to hop on a pleasure cruise out on Lake Zurich with 100 tired travelers and coworkers. More to come soon!

2023 Week 32/33 – Pizza Pizza!

What’s Going On:
I missed the weekly post again last weekend, so it’s another double post this time around. We’ve been very fortunate with the weather this summer, but that’s about to come to an end this week, with temps hitting 99 degrees on Wednesday and 102 on Thursday (ouch).


What I’m Eating:
I’m a big fan of J. Kenji López-Alt. To me, he’s like a modern-day Alton Brown. When I read that he successfully made pizzas with flour tortillas, I had my doubts, but given his track record, I decided to give it a try

Extra-Crispy Bar-Style Tortilla Pizza Supreme

I already had the tortillas and cheeses in the fridge, so I needed some pizza sauce and pepperoni to try this. 10 minutes later, I ate one of the best thin-crust pizzas I have ever had. You can’t get much thinner than a flour tortilla, and the way it crisped up was beyond belief. I give this a 10/10 and even made it again the following night. If you like thin and crispy pizza, this recipe is for you!


I ran some errands in the Carmel area last week and decided to swing by Greek Tony’s for lunch. It had been a while since my previous visit, and from the memorials on the wall, some of the original owners had passed away. The children of the original owners (now adults) are running the place, and it has not changed a bit. I ordered my usual, the Hot Italian Sub.

This sandwich is unlike any other sub I’ve ever tasted, and it’s retained that unique flavor for over the 25 years I’ve been ordering. I think it’s the combination of the capicola and creamy Italian dressing layered with melted pizza cheese in a freshly toasted hoagie roll. And it ALWAYS comes with 3 pickle chips. That little detail has always amazed me: just 3 pickles, every time.


Where I’ve Been:
Last week, I stopped by the Mash House at West Fork Whiskey for appetizers and a cocktail. It’s down the road from the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield. I didn’t take any pictures of the Pork Rinds with Pimento Cheese and the Hush Puppies with Maple Butter, but given how much we enjoyed the place, there is no doubt we’ll be returning to try more of the menu.


What I’m Watching:


What I’m Reading:


And Finally…
Driving The New Fastest Car Ever Made!

2023 Week 31 – River Cruising

What’s Going On:
As I continue studying to upgrade my Amateur Radio license, I’ve added a couple of “stealth” antennas to the attics in my house. Unfortunately, because of my HOA, I can’t put anything on the outside of the house; I’m limited to using the attic space for the equipment. While not ideal, it’s been working better than expected. I hear stations from Europe and South America regularly in the evening. I look forward to being able to talk to them soon!


What I’m Eating:
Last week, I stopped by the Easy Rider Diner in Fountain Square for lunch. It’s owned and operated by the Hi-Fi concert venue located next door. The food coming out of the kitchen looked really good, as did the Cobb Salad I ordered (there is lettuce under all the toppings), but the $6 upcharge for 4 chicken nuggets was a little steep, in my opinion. The Blue Cheese dressing was definitely out of a bottle, too (and not that good). I’d go back and try something else next time. The salad didn’t do it for me this time.


I also picked up a couple of new items from Trader Joe’s.

The Kalua Pork Spring Rolls smelled VERY good while they were cooking, but unfortunately, the taste was off. In my opinion, there was a very strong black pepper taste. The folks at the What’s Good at Trader Joe’s website seemed to like them better and mentioned a strong liquid smoke flavor (they still gave them 7.5 out of 10)

Unlike the Spring Rolls, the Shrimp Boom Bah had a much better taste and included a nice spicy sauce. The only issue I had was they could have been crispier. An air fryer might have done the trick (I don’t have one).


Where I’ve Been:
Traveled down to New Richmond, Ohio, last weekend to check out the Annual International Cardboard Boat Regatta on the Ohio River. This is my first time checking it out, and it was a lot of fun. The town was having a River Days celebration, and the race was one of the weekend activities. All of the boats were made out of cardboard and paint. Some really creative designs! New Richmond is also the home of the world’s only Cardboard Boat Museum.


What I’m Watching:
Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food (2023)


What I’m Reading:
Emerging Tick Bite-Associated Meat Allergy Potentially Affects Thousands
Airport car rental: The unique hell might finally be over
AM radio served the country for 100 years. Will electric vehicles silence it?


What Else:

If you’re on Social Media, you might have seen the woman on a flight pointing to something off-camera and proclaiming it was “not real.” @Travispaints painted his interpretation, and it is amazing! Zoom in; it’s a who’s who of fictitious characters.


And Finally…
Just in time for summer grilling… Juicy Grilled Burger – You Suck at Cooking