Top Model Cycle 10 premiered this week. It's a bad show, but I watch it anyway. It's fun to discuss the next day, and watching Tyra is like watching a train wreck. I'd like to think that not all models are dumb, but, sadly, this last crop doesn't seem to disprove the stereotype. They couldn't find any beautiful AND smart contestants? I noted four or five that were articulate (Cornell girl, plus-size girl, dark-haired Sarah Silverman look-a-like girl, Fatima, and I drink my own breast milk girl), but the rest were either completely dumb, very inarticulate, or super ghetto (and I mean this in the bad ghetto way, as clarified in the episode). The Boston girl who wanted to "trick out her Impala" was embarrassing and Anya (?) from HI seemed high the whole time. Is that really a Hawaiian accent? It sounded like she was European originally.
Perhaps, Fatima will be the one reality contestant from Boston that I like. I've disliked Neil and Jay & Mark from Biggest Loser and crazy, giggly, blond chick from last cycle (Milena?). I already hate the smushed-face, Barbie girl from Worchester. To her credit, however, when Tyra asked "Do you ever take money?" and she answered "All the time," I also assumed Tyra was asking if she handled money as part of her job as a teller. After all, why would she ask if she stole it? It's not like the girl would say so on tv even if she did steal money! Note to self: Never go to a bank in Worchester.
I think I liked Marvita more last season. She seems less outwardly crazy, but more inwardly psychotic now. In any case, at least the contestants seem more interesting than last season. My favorites, based on the one episode, are Sarah Silverman girl, plus-size girl, and Fatima. Let the insanity begin!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
New Concept and Comics
Since I don't have as much time to write reviews as I originally thought, I changing this to a more general blog. I'll include random musings along with recommendations and reviews. I'm hoping this will motivate me to post more!
I've become fascinated by web comics lately. I started reading one, Order of the Stick, when I was bored at work and I've branched out to include others. At first, I was skeptical. I'm not much of a comic reader. I've read a few graphic novels, which I enjoyed, but I still tend to prefer novels. Now, I've realized that comics don't have to be like the dailies in newspapers. They can have long-running storylines, complex characters, and they don't necessarily have to be focused on humor. Here some good webcomics to check out.
Order of the Stick by Art Burlew (www.giantitp.com/comics)
This is a funny, long-form comic parodying role-playing games, specifically Dungeons and Dragons. The characters are modified stick figures and go on fantasy adventures. I didn't understand most of the jokes until I played Dungeons and Dragons, but you'll get most of them if you know the basic rules and format of D&D. Although it has some poignant and dramatic moments, OOTS is primarily a funny comic with puns, sight-gags, and character-based humor. OOTS is updated three times a week on no particular days.
Gunnerkrigg Court by Tom Siddell (www.gunnerkrigg.com)
Another long-form comic about Antimony, a 6th grade (or technically 7th form) girl at a mysterious boarding school in London. There are mythical creatures, gods, robots, and classic teenage drama and comedy. It is more serious than Order of the Stick, but has plenty of funny moments. Anyone who loves Harry Potter should check it out. Although Antimony and her friends aren't wizards, the story has a similar feel with an added science vs. mysticism aspect. Gunnerkrigg Court is updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is my current favorite comic.
The Phoenix Requim by Sarah Ellerton (http://requiem.seraph-inn.com/)
Phoenix is more cheesy and anime in style, but still entertaining. It is about Anya, a young woman in a small frontierish town attempting to become a doctor in the male-dominated field. A mysterious stranger comes to town and a strange sickness takes hold. This is a new comic, so she hasn't written many strips yet.
Although the comics I suggested are all long-form and related to fantasy, there are webcomics of every genre and style. Other than OOTS, which was recommended, I found the others by googling the Webcomic Awards. Enjoy!
I've become fascinated by web comics lately. I started reading one, Order of the Stick, when I was bored at work and I've branched out to include others. At first, I was skeptical. I'm not much of a comic reader. I've read a few graphic novels, which I enjoyed, but I still tend to prefer novels. Now, I've realized that comics don't have to be like the dailies in newspapers. They can have long-running storylines, complex characters, and they don't necessarily have to be focused on humor. Here some good webcomics to check out.
Order of the Stick by Art Burlew (www.giantitp.com/comics)
This is a funny, long-form comic parodying role-playing games, specifically Dungeons and Dragons. The characters are modified stick figures and go on fantasy adventures. I didn't understand most of the jokes until I played Dungeons and Dragons, but you'll get most of them if you know the basic rules and format of D&D. Although it has some poignant and dramatic moments, OOTS is primarily a funny comic with puns, sight-gags, and character-based humor. OOTS is updated three times a week on no particular days.
Gunnerkrigg Court by Tom Siddell (www.gunnerkrigg.com)
Another long-form comic about Antimony, a 6th grade (or technically 7th form) girl at a mysterious boarding school in London. There are mythical creatures, gods, robots, and classic teenage drama and comedy. It is more serious than Order of the Stick, but has plenty of funny moments. Anyone who loves Harry Potter should check it out. Although Antimony and her friends aren't wizards, the story has a similar feel with an added science vs. mysticism aspect. Gunnerkrigg Court is updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is my current favorite comic.
The Phoenix Requim by Sarah Ellerton (http://requiem.seraph-inn.com/)
Phoenix is more cheesy and anime in style, but still entertaining. It is about Anya, a young woman in a small frontierish town attempting to become a doctor in the male-dominated field. A mysterious stranger comes to town and a strange sickness takes hold. This is a new comic, so she hasn't written many strips yet.
Although the comics I suggested are all long-form and related to fantasy, there are webcomics of every genre and style. Other than OOTS, which was recommended, I found the others by googling the Webcomic Awards. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Review: Bamboo Restaurant
Last Friday night, my boyfriend and I went to Bamboo, a Thai restaurant located at 1616 Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton. Although I'm trying to expand my horizons, I am hardly a foodie or a culinary adventurer. In fact if you don't count the tiny chicken skewers with peanut sauce they serve at my company's catered events, this was my first time eating Thai food. Still, I was excited to try something new.
A large fish with a square lumpy head reminiscent of the Elephant Man greeted me as I entered. Luckily, it was contained in one of the giant fish tanks in the center of the small room. Was this a Thai fish? I have no way of knowing. I'm pretty sure the bright primary colors of the salt shakers and overhead lighting fixtures weren't traditionally Thai, but they enhanced the casual vibe anyway. The waitresses/hostesses and most of the patrons wore jeans. Bamboo caters to students and young professionals, although I also saw a middle-aged couple. Soothing mint green walls and incongruous soft rock music added to the laid-back atmosphere.
Although it was a Friday night at dinner time, the restaurant was only about a third full and we were seated at a booth as soon as we entered. Normally, I love sitting in booths. In this case, I'd advise calling shotgun for a normal chair. The booth bench seemed to harden as the night progressed. We ordered vegetarian spring rolls and Thai ice tea for starters. If you like shrimp, the shrimp spring rolls may be a more flavorful option. The sweet and sour sauce accompanying the rolls didn't quite mitigate the blandness of what was basically a portable lettuce salad. Thai ice tea resembles creamy tea with an unidentifiable aftertaste. I am glad I tried it, but my stomach began rebelling at its foreignness about halfway through the glass. If I go to Bamboo again, I want to order Sam's Platter, an assortment of appetizers. It seems like a great way to try many of the appetizers at once and pick favorites. Unfortunately, we weren't hungry enough to take on Sam.
I chickened out (excuse the pun) and ordered "Chicken in the Garden" instead of a more signature Thai dish. A heaping plate of steamed veggies and chicken in peanut sauce arrived quickly. My boyfriend took advantage of Bamboo's option to create your own stir fry and ordered a beef stir fry with crispy egg noodles. He loved it and he actually cooks and has eaten Thai food before. The entrees ranged from around $10-$20, but my bountiful dish lasted me three meals and remained delicious. Overall, a great bargain for some tasty food. Bamboo added some color to the plates with carrot flowers and adorable radish mushroom straight from Mario Brothers.
As a dessert freak, I can not go out to eat without trying a restaurant's dessert menu. You can't go wrong with Bamboo's fried ice cream. Basically a huge ice cream meatball of fried batter and vanilla or coconut filling, the fried ice cream creates the sensation of eating a donut and a bowl of ice cream at the same time. I did not exercise enough that day to eat it and after eating it, I did not care.
In general, Bamboo is a good casual option with quick service and large portions. Although I'm not quite a Thai-food convert yet, I'd go again just for the fried ice cream.
Postscript: A student employee at work recently told me she has seen Bamboo staff members take the carrot flowers off one person's plate and put them on another person's plate. If you care about hygiene, you may want to avoid Bamboo or at least don't eat the petals like I did.
A large fish with a square lumpy head reminiscent of the Elephant Man greeted me as I entered. Luckily, it was contained in one of the giant fish tanks in the center of the small room. Was this a Thai fish? I have no way of knowing. I'm pretty sure the bright primary colors of the salt shakers and overhead lighting fixtures weren't traditionally Thai, but they enhanced the casual vibe anyway. The waitresses/hostesses and most of the patrons wore jeans. Bamboo caters to students and young professionals, although I also saw a middle-aged couple. Soothing mint green walls and incongruous soft rock music added to the laid-back atmosphere.
Although it was a Friday night at dinner time, the restaurant was only about a third full and we were seated at a booth as soon as we entered. Normally, I love sitting in booths. In this case, I'd advise calling shotgun for a normal chair. The booth bench seemed to harden as the night progressed. We ordered vegetarian spring rolls and Thai ice tea for starters. If you like shrimp, the shrimp spring rolls may be a more flavorful option. The sweet and sour sauce accompanying the rolls didn't quite mitigate the blandness of what was basically a portable lettuce salad. Thai ice tea resembles creamy tea with an unidentifiable aftertaste. I am glad I tried it, but my stomach began rebelling at its foreignness about halfway through the glass. If I go to Bamboo again, I want to order Sam's Platter, an assortment of appetizers. It seems like a great way to try many of the appetizers at once and pick favorites. Unfortunately, we weren't hungry enough to take on Sam.
I chickened out (excuse the pun) and ordered "Chicken in the Garden" instead of a more signature Thai dish. A heaping plate of steamed veggies and chicken in peanut sauce arrived quickly. My boyfriend took advantage of Bamboo's option to create your own stir fry and ordered a beef stir fry with crispy egg noodles. He loved it and he actually cooks and has eaten Thai food before. The entrees ranged from around $10-$20, but my bountiful dish lasted me three meals and remained delicious. Overall, a great bargain for some tasty food. Bamboo added some color to the plates with carrot flowers and adorable radish mushroom straight from Mario Brothers.
As a dessert freak, I can not go out to eat without trying a restaurant's dessert menu. You can't go wrong with Bamboo's fried ice cream. Basically a huge ice cream meatball of fried batter and vanilla or coconut filling, the fried ice cream creates the sensation of eating a donut and a bowl of ice cream at the same time. I did not exercise enough that day to eat it and after eating it, I did not care.
In general, Bamboo is a good casual option with quick service and large portions. Although I'm not quite a Thai-food convert yet, I'd go again just for the fried ice cream.
Postscript: A student employee at work recently told me she has seen Bamboo staff members take the carrot flowers off one person's plate and put them on another person's plate. If you care about hygiene, you may want to avoid Bamboo or at least don't eat the petals like I did.
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