I can’t wait until the world leaves petroleum behind to embrace clean, renewable energy and the oil companies that have had all the record breaking profits can’t give oil away. I hope oil company execs rot in hell. I’m going green! If only I could find a way to market water to the world the way big oil companies have. matthew Z
I’ve decided after a long absence to try something new. Each week I’m going to comment about something that is depicted in print, video, or commercial to be absolutely amazing, but in real life couldn’t be farther from the truth. From fast food advertisements to models wearing jeans. Nothing will be safe.
I’ll start this week’s new idea off with fast food. As I was driving to work this morning I saw a billboard for a ‘trophy burger’. It actually looked tasty. But since I’ve given up on most fast food due to artistic differences, that being the food never looks like it is advertised and is usually more horrible than eating cardboard with salt, pepper, and ketchup, this one actually made me a bit curious. Now all the while I’m thinking to myself, I can bet this isn’t going to live up to the presentation I want and the flavor I deserve as a paying customer.
in print
This delightful burger starts with a third pound of 100% pure Angus beef, sure. Add some slices of cheese that actually looks like real cheese, slightly melted. Placed between braided sesame seed buns that look like a baker just popped them out of the oven. The sesame seeds look like the hand of God placed them. Topped with ‘fresh’ tomato, ‘real’ whole leaf lettuce, ‘crisp’ red onions and ‘crinkle-cut’ pickles. The picture leads you to believe all you have to do is sit down, roll up your sleeves, and get down to business. And this is what I ordered…looks good doesn’t it? My taste buds actually started to party. All that’s left is to get it and compare.
in real life
Well it isn’t the advertised piece but it isn’t too far off the mark. BUT what does it taste like? Will it be similar to the unfortunate sad, generic excuse of a burger the chain has sold for years or will it taste like a real burger? Laying my innards on the line for science I subjected myself for the good of the reader. Although it is a step up from the economy class burger, it is hardly what I would call a premium burger. The bun was less airy then the regular hamburger bun, but not great. The pickles were mushy, the onions were anything but crisp. The cheese was the usual over processed pasteurized cheese. The meat, although more ‘beefy’, was dry and similar to the highly compacted little brother burger as far as texture. Taste? It was a nice try, but sadly, it is far off the mark. It left my taste buds feeling like they just encountered a chemical burn. Salt and pepper, sure. But this is what they put into this disaster of a burger. Read more…
TERK HDTVi Antenna
A few things to point out for this review. I hooked this antenna up to my Samsung HL-T6176S - 61-inch Slim 1080p DLP Rear Projection HDTV out of frustration with my cable company (Charter Communications) and a need to still be able to watch TV. Why? I was tired of paying over $100 month for 6-7 channels that we watched. I figured I could get a few channels with the ‘rabbit ears’ and not have to pay a monthly bill for a service I wasn’t happy with. Charter’s basic cable has about 14 channels, not broadcast in HD, and it’s close to $30/month. With over 1, 000 stations in more than 200 markets broadcasting digital television, nine out of ten households can now receive free HDTV signals with the right antenna, a set-top box and a high-definition television. So I read a TON of reviews of antenna’s on the market and felt the TERK HDTVi was a solid investment. It is the only indoor HDTV antenna optimized for both UHF and VHF reception (channels 2-69). I justified spending the $26.99 to purchase it as a one month cable bill. I purchased it through Newegg here. With taxes and shipping it totaled $36. 64. About the same after taxes from Charter.
The PROS. Read more…
Shawn and Matt
I haven’t wrote in a while because one of my best pals was recently diagnosed with a lemon sized tumor in the center of his brain. Since Friday, things have happened extremely fast. He is, as I type this, undergoing surgery to have it assessed and for the surgeons to remove what they can. He’ll be in ICU for a few days and then it’s the glorious road to recovery! Feel free to follow is recovery here. I’ll set up a page soon so that friends and family will be able to donate to help with the costs and expenses Shawn will face in the near future. Thanks for all your support! matthew Z
Let me begin this post by saying the following applies to ALL men who have or are expecting children. Although this is more geared towards men with daughters, you can imply it can be used for sons as well. First off, whether you planned on becoming a parent or not, once reality sets in, being a daddy can be overwhelming, but with a few pointers it doesn’t all have to be stressful.
Following is a list of pointers I wish someone would have given me, but learning them on my own wasn’t all that bad. And I know all children are different, but this should serve the purpose well and give a relative guide to being a better daddy. Some of this will focus on mommy too. After all, she’s a part of this just like you.
