This week, I braved it and bought sushi from stacked plastic containers, from a couple of Japanese guys selling the goods on the street in Midtown.
Alright, it was not as shady all that.
I did buy the sushi bowl as described but they're from Washoku, a Japanese eatery that takes lunch orders and delivers on 50th some the times or all the times? during the week.
They happened to have an extra lunch packed and I snatched it up with the help of H1's $6.00.
Pricey, yeah? It was actually worse - it was $6.50!
It was pretty good and yummy on the tamago 'noodles' there, but with a tiny bit of tuna and tons of rice, which really was not worth the money paid. Ah well.
I was properly impressed by the do-it-yourself-by-adding-hot-water miso soup mix. Of course, I could probably buy a packet of that for a few cents at the grocery... meh.
I sadly did not have my camera when I was on the street and did not get to take a picture of the cute little Japanese guy who sold the eats to me, nor a picture of their 'shady' operation.
I did however, as can be seen by the pictures, get a manu that was not in English.
Anyway, it's been days now since I ate it and I'm still here.
Really, there was nothing to worry about but this is what I'm going to have to do if I make it to China.
I'm re-developing my cast iron stomach!
Now if only I could stomach alien M&Ms...
Currently listening to: "Ticks & Leeches" by Tool.
Who knew the makers of Barnum Animal Crackers were racist?
H1 and I opened up a bag of chocolate Barnum's and were shocked at what we found.
There was no monkey, as Alex asked , because that'd be too obvious, but all other animals found on the African Savannah were there.
Look at this horror!
If you notice, there's a choco lion, choco zebra, choco giraffe, choco rhino, choco wildebeest, and a choco camel.
You all are probably saying to yourself, "Camels do not live on the African plains". Yeah, but they do live in Africa and just to confuse you, these probably live in the Gobi Desert, and clearly the Barnum people are racists against Mongolians too!
Our favourite, is of course -
the Black Sheep.
Just because the Barnum peeps are racist, does not mean they're not without a sense of humour.
If the Barnum expert Bughie J. were to step forward and tell us all those animals are part of the regular vanilla Barnum collection, I would say they're paying him off!
Tsk, tsk Bughie J. for stooping so low as to be bought by a bunch of barnums. That's what they're paying you, right? A year supply of animals?
For shame Bughie J.
For shame.
Currently listening to: "Harbinger of Tragedy" by Shiro Sagisu, from the Neon Genesis Evangelion Original Soundtrack Vol. 3
Nintendo World's getting geared up for the release of Animal Crossing: City Folk.
As simple and boring sounding Animal Crossing seems to be, it's truly one of the most fun games the HOchieS ever played.
As much as I tell myself I won't get another in the series because there's barely any change, I always pine when a new one is released because I get nostalgic for shooting presents out of the sky, hearing stupid muscle bound stories of nonsense from Ace and Ace like characters, watching Bugh catch sea bass after sea bass throughout the year and cursing at them everytime, Stylin' up Iggyh's clothes with Communist Stars, and going into Bugh's House and digging through her closets and effin' with her various 'oids.
Sometimes I try to pacify myself by remembering all the bad times such as a house overrun with cockroaches (though what great fun did I take in smushing them and seeing their little cockroach souls dissipate in the house), finding ghosts at 3 AM, being freaked out by Jack O' Lantern on Halloween as he stumbles around town like Jack the Ripper, and running all over town day after day in the afternoons trying and not first without failing miserably countless times to catch that damned diagonal zipping dragonfly.
Perhaps next year when the price drops significantly (if it does) and the reviews are good, I will get us a copy.
This morning, H1 and I gazed up on the display window and took pictures of all our favourite friends - who aren't here.
Only the asshole characters are here.
Stupid Gracie!
Currently listening to: "Scoundrels" by Shiro Sagisu, from the Bleach Original Soundtrack 3
The 3rd Bleach Soundtrack has been released and it's better than fantastic! Those assholes did recycle a few songs that are on the movie soundtracks but they are forgiven because I get to hear my Ulquiorra's greatness and my Shinji's sleazy-casino shadiness in music version all the time now after waiting since May 2007 after seeing Ulqui's introduction that involved his smacking Yammi like a little bitch and the first of the great Espada music was played.
Shiro Sagisu is great.
Look at that cover - it's so awesome!
Wheeeeeee!
Thanks Bughie J.!
Currently listening to: "Nube Negra" by Shiro Sagisu, from the Bleach Original Soundtrack 3.
I've not been enjoying this season of Dexter, as I'm unclear as to what direction they're taking this show in.
Last night's episode though was incredibly well-written.
The scenes with Carmilla were amazing. Michael C. Hall did a great job - he was rigid, then uncomfortable almost, almost human but ultimately confused. As a serial killer with no emotions, I think he acted it smoothly. He was unsure of his actions and the territory he was in and the Margo Martindale who plays Carmilla, I felt, made a convincing case that had me questioning why assisted suicide is illegal in certain cases.
It was painful to watch but delivered the best episode of the season based not on the usual anxiety but the sheer power of the cast.
And then of course, there was Masuka.
Not without some sort of clever wit as Dexter usually has, the not-seen-enough-this-season Masuka was on a roll last night. I can't do it any justice but it was classic.
Memorable Quotes from Dexter 9/09/08:
Dexter: The murderer did this in his socks. These are not shoe prints, they're sock prints. Masuka: Sock prints... sock prints... Ugh. Dexter: What? Masuka: I know who did this. Fucking Albert Chung! ::later:: Dexter: Why is this bothering you so much? Masuka: Because he's Asian! He's making the rest of us look bad. Tch. And Asians are supposed to be smart. Ha. ::later still:: Masuka, while reading the newspaper after A.C's capture: Fucking Albert Chung. Dexter: You know, he looks like you. Masuka: That's called racism. Tch... Wait. He really does look like me.
Currently listening to: "Jam Blues" by Shiro Sagisu, from the Bleach: The Diamond Dust Rebellion Original Soundtrack.
I was playing Rock Band 2 last night and chose some song in Austin TX. I think it was Sonic Youth but I'm not sure. Whatever it was, it was totally cool rock song by a considered to be cool rock band.
The joker creators at Rock Band tossed Zarnyx a question.
Essentially I was asked, "Hot Topic wants to sponsor your gig but wants you to sing Paramore's 'That's What You Get' instead. You'll get lots of cash for it. Do you want to switch songs?"
Well, that certainly sounded fishy - Hot Topic and Paramore in one sentence? Yeah. I mean, it sounds about right but suspect at best.
Anyone who knows Paramore is probably an emo I don't want to deal with. Probably. The lead singer surely is an annoying little emo girl but I digress.
Anyone who knows Hot Topic knows that it was slightly cool when it was unknown all the years when. And then emo happened and Hot Topic thought they should go in the direction of the Emo. You can't really blame them because Emo kids are usually privileged children who have their parents money (and lots of it), self-made depression, and less than stellar taste in music.
Beetchie, shut up! I am not Emo! And I'm not whining, that was a forceful "Shut Your Ass" kind of Shut Up, I can assure you.
I digress again.
So, lured by curiosity and extra money to get more piercings (not that I would spend money without your approval, Band Manager H1), I went ahead and sold out.
After I finished the gig, Rock Band made sure to drive it hard that I had Sold Out in case I was Emo and didn't realise that having Hot Topic sponsor me and singing Paramore is anything but the coolest thing since crying.
You see that, right?
I LOST 30,000 fans.
Ahahaha. That was true greatness. I only got $250 too. Tch. Cheap bastards.
To the assholes who are paying attention to the fact that I got five stars on Paramore, it's just that like that time with that ass song by Fall Out Boy, I had to learn the damned song in order not to fail and I'd be damned if I let any of those assholes make me a fail a song.
Anyway.
They're grainy but here are some pictures of my beloved Zarnyx in Rock Band 2 form. I'll take better pictures at some point.
He is of course, wearing an awesome red jacket that he was born with, Band Manager H1 and not bought without consulting you first.
Currently listening to: "Get Clean" by Anarchy Club. I finally found this song. I didn't unlock it yet in Rock Band 2 but I always hear it at the start up load screen and I love the music. The lyrics leave much to be desired but I can just ignore them.
She baked me a batch of beautiful and beautiful tasting pumpkin cookies.
I don't know why she's not making us some money by baking and selling.
She also brought me skwinkles from her retreat in Baltimore. They're mango flavoured. But even more shocking... is that they're 'skwinkles'. Who knew such a thing existed?
Thank you, Aims!
I love you too.
Currently listening to: "Down Boy" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
I just realised but the HOchieS went through a bit of a cooking spree these past 3 or so weeks.
We made our first attempt at doubles a little over a week ago and came out with crispy bara. It tasted pretty good though. We've wanted to try this for months and months now but got a final push when we came home with tamarind sauce from ordering Indian food from Minar one week.
Yeah, that's all it takes sometimes.
We tried for a second time yesterday and came out with less crispy bara but it still has not been perfected. We'll try again sometime!
I never figured it out until yesterday but I really love Sardine Omlettes and Papa HOchie makes them best!
2 weeks ago H1 made some pernil. I ate lots of that, so much so the pork ended up tasting better going down than coming up. Never before did my favourite meat cause me to burp but I have no regrets.
The Sunday of that week, she made some good time cranberry scones that she swears is the easiest thing ever. I was not present to witness but I was present to eat. As Mom and/or Boobey-Head would say, "MMMM, GOOOOOOD!!!!"
The D. Gray-Man and Soul Eater shelf has been sorted out for now, until more volumes of the D. Gray-Man manga come out and more Soul Eater figures are acquired.
D. Gray-Man
Allens All Around!
Black Star
Death The Kid
Black Star's No. 1! So he and D the K cover up the rivals
Soul Eater Evans!
And uh, Hottie Adult Link, where did you come from?
Oh, the capsule in the background, you say?
Currently listening to: "Space Junk Galaxy" by Koji Kondo and Mahito Yokota, from the Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack. Ooo, gotta remember to put this on my end of year review list as well.
The Black Holes Are Coming! Unless, of course, the Hadron C. stays defunct and is unable to be repaired. You know what I think? I think a mini black hole formed and now they're just waiting for the right time to announce our destruction...
Studying
Natsume Yuujinchou
Well, I'm not so much obsessed with the anime (not that it isn't actually enjoyable, 'cause it is) as much as I am obsessed with H1's obsession with calling me...
Moyashi
Who's a moyashi?!
Allen Desu!
Can someone tell me what the eff is up with ending D. Gray-Man?! It'd figure, as soon as I am all ready to watch it weekly like a lout, it gets canned. Ugh. I hope they bring it back... in the meanwhile, I am crushed.
Sarutobi Asuma-Sensei
I am devastated! Even though I knew this was coming and blogged it months ago, seeing it on screen is just horrible. My Shikamaru's sad! And what's worse...I actually kind of like Hidan, the murderer. ::sniff:: Asuma, you were awesome! Awww.
Currently listening to: "Perfect Blue Buildings" by Counting Crows.
I hope the kids got you everything you wanted. I told Jazzie and Pumpkin to get something with A'Face and B'Cheeks, so I hope all those little bastards came through.
Can anyone guess how old Angelo was this day?
Currently listening to: "Wasteland Run" by Mutato Muzika, from the Jak III Original Soundtrack.
H1 and I have always wondered how in the history of the world, people just looked at something and decided, "hey, that looks like something I should eat".
Wiki provided some nightmares on Friday with the picture of the day:
The article on this here Hydnellum peckii or bleeding tooth fungus says that it's inedible. Really? Did someone actually try this? And if we knew to stay away from this (because honestly, I don't know WHO would WANT to eat that...stomach churning looking monstrosity), how come Asians decided Durian was okay to eat? Or do they eat this fungus as well?
Wiki's not all bad though.
They did have one of the most awesome articles on Friday as article of the day that was all about Komodo Dragons.
The HOchieS are at this moment, feeling even more anxious than yesterday. We're hoping our votes count towards something amazing and that tomorrow when we wake up, we won't be sacrificial moose for Palin to gun down.
She'll regret it one day though, the moose killings.
When she's living out her hell in a Room with a Moose.
The HOchieS will wake at 5 AM or so, to go vote in our first Presidential Election.
I got an e-mail reminder today, as if there was any chance I could forget or perhaps it was an order -
Next Tuesday we will elect the next President of the United States. The result will have great consequences for the nation.
This election offers a choice is between two men with dramatically different visions of the future. We have strong feelings about this choice. But we feel even more strongly that all Americans, regardless of political preference, have a stake in the outcome and should vote in this critical election.
This is likely to be a close election. Your vote matters. Please use it and make a difference.
Sincerely, Trent Reznor
Memorable Conversation of the Day:
Or 2: Did you also get mail from Trent this morning telling you to vote? Gen: Ha. No. He sent out a message? That is funny. ::upon reading the e-mail I forwarded:: Gen: Haha. I wonder if he will make electronic calls too, with a beat in the background, "Hi. This is Trent Reznor"...
Currently listening to: "Rest My Chemistry" by Interpol.
Man, I sound extra REALLY horrible when I've got a frog in my throat. It's a good thing no one's around to hear me massacre the already awful "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Effin' Bon Jovi... Though, I did get five stars, so I'm wondering if this frog is the key to Jovi and will help get five stars on that other ass song, "Wanted Dead or Alive"...
Also, I love Rock Band Zarnyx.
I made him and while he's not exactly how I draw him, he's still pretty cute. For a while there he had a goth personality but then when he did some sort of shimmy that pissed me off so bad (and as a goth, why was he always bopping his head and smiling??!!), I deleted him and remade him with a Metal personality.
Now he's an asshole.
Ha.
Metal Heads.
Currently listening to: "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads. I forgot how damned cool this song is.
I ordered the tickets to see The Last Shadow Puppets back in July and I was super excited at the time to be seeing the boys Miles and Alex, after really loving their album The Age of the Understatement.
Yesterday, however, I was so damned cranky that I almost did not go.
Everything just seemed to be going wrong and if not for the price per ticket, I would have bailed, even if it meant giving up a chance to see my cutie Alex and my cool Miles.
Thank goodness I stayed because they were even more incredible than I thought they'd be.
Having a 16 piece orchestra will do that for you and the sound at small venue of the Grand Ballroom just filled it and was absolutely amazing.
The Lowlamps:
1. Those damned privileged children. They were complaining about 'wanting weekends' when they only work 2 days out of the week. They also had the nerve to say, "My friends lost their jobs but I just got a job. They're jobs out there." I am thankful that X kneed and elbowed a few of them for being stupid assholes.
2. The lighting at that damned place. Just like the Hammerstein downstairs, I still have yet to take a great picture of Alex.
3. My camera. I love Little Latin O. for its years of service, but in a setting like that, it tends to fail me and I get annoyed when people managed to smuggle in their D40s or had better slim point & shoots and just take damned good pictures! GRRRR!
4. H1 not being able to be there too, especially during Arctic Monkey/The Rascals like moments.
5. Miles Kane's dressing up like a Gallagher. I know X was happy but I avoided eye contact with her when I saw Miles come out with his aviators, leather jacket and very British looking face. Oh Miles. Did you HAVE to work against me?!
6. My Mistakes Were Made For You. Alex didn't do a very good job singing this song. It's probably the best song on the album and he was effed it. Thanks A., Thanks.
7. Our initially poor attitudes. X and I were so damned cranky, we almost left. It's not our fault though because those bastards started half an hour later than they were supposed to and the Roadies just stood around pretending to do work.
8. The Roadies. There was this neanderthal that scared the crap out of X and myself. He looked like he would kick our asses.
9. The opening act, Stephen Fretwell. The one thing we hated about him was the lyrics he wrote that actually made sense. He sang two songs that were normal and we were damned bored. He needs to stick to what he knows, which is the bizarre and... chickens?
The Highlights:
1. The opening act, Stephen Fretwell. Okay, he was funny but his chicken in the supermarket lyrics, tree roots and by tree roots he means himself, and other nonsensical lyrics were damned confusing making X and I marvel at being able to witness what just waking up can do to a singer. He had a good voice and a sense of humour but the performance made us laugh the whole way through until the last 2 songs mentioned.
The video's sideways but uh, what's he going on about?
Hilarious.
2. The 16 piece orchestra. Those effers took long to setup and fiddle with their violins but they did a good job.
3. Miles Kane. I was hesitant at first when I first heard that Alex and Miles were going to form a band and write songs with influences of Scott Walker and David Bowie. I was skeptical it took them 2 weeks in a bed bug ridden villa in France to write the album and then I was skeptical when the video for The Age of the Understatement premiered. Then I decided to give it more time to simmer because lyrically it was to be expected from Alex that it'd be awesomely mature and well-written. And then I thought... Miles is 'firm friends' with Alex, so he must be a brilliant boy as well.
So after buying this album, I respected Miles and thought he was cool enough to have a crush on another Brit. Then, I bought The Rascals' album, "Rascalize" and I knew it was really okay to have a crush on Miles. It was rock, 60s, 'hard' and fun and Miles carried it brilliantly.
Last night was no different and I'm glad I got to see him perform and would totally see him for The Rascals if they ever came to NYC. He was awesome, he smiled for photographers and looked at crazy Cherries warily. I didn't enjoy that he didn't look at me but he was distracted by those asshole children who were acting a damned mess, even if I was standing right in front of him. I can't blame him.
7. My Moment with Alex Turner. I had another one with him - my third in a year and half. X and I were standing on Miles' side, but from where I stood I got a clear shot of Alex and he of me. During "Calm Like You" (one of my favourite songs), he sang the first half to me. Yep. He stared straight at me and sang. I sang it back to him and smiled. Now, there are probably various reasons why he did this.
a. He was probably thinking, "oh, there's Suga'Face". b. He was probably thinking, "oh, there's Suga'Face but where's her Sister Suga'Face?" c. He was probably thinking, "oh, there's that...girl, who...I think I see everytime I'm in NYC...is she stalking me?" d. He was probably thinking, "oh, that girl reminds me of my gf (BITCH! - okay, that's my own insert and probably not his)..."
It was actually a really sweet moment and I could do nothing but sing and smile at him because he was extra cute last night, which leads me to believe it was choice "D", which makes me cranky but I botched it anyway when I messed up a lyric and he caught it. He turned away after that. Ha. He did look at me again during "Standing Next to Me" but that was brief. He probably remembered I messed up the first time... Curses! And so that was 'fuckin' up the lyrics with TLSP' Part I.
8. Alex Turner. It's good to see he's getting cuter as years go by because I was a little worried for him for a while there. However, he's looking a lot less hooliganish and well, that's just not right.
9. Miles and Alex. Their banter was cute. Alex smiled a lot with his BFF and they were quite happy with each other. It's the kind of happy you'd probably see if you were to hang out with them while they talked about bullshit, which they did a lot of last night. Poor Miles, unlike Alex's fun day in NYC, Miles was feeling under the weather.
10. Separate and Ever Deadly - 'fuckin' up the lyrics' with TLSP Part II. Yeah, when Miles had to sing his verse, I totally heard him stumble and begin late. As I was about to point this out to him and well, to X, really. Miles stopped the orchestra so he could do it over. "Wait! I fucked it up! I started late! Fucked it up!!!! I want to do it again because it's good!" And so he did and it was good.
Ah, funny effs.
The Last Shadow Puppets Set List 10/30/2008 @ the Grand Ballroom NYC:
In My Room The Age of the Understatement Calm Like You Black Plant Gas Dance Only the Truth Separate and Ever Deadly My Little Red Book Standing Next To Me Hang the Cyst I Want You (She's So Heavy) (The Beatles cover) In The Heat of the Morning (David Bowie cover) I Don't Like You Anymore My Mistakes Were Made For You The Chamber The Time Has Come Again Meeting Place
Best performances of the evening: "Calm Like You", "Only the Truth", "Separate and Ever Deadly", "Hang the Cyst", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
