The Hunger Games

broderic on April 7, 2012

Usually, I am in tune with pop culture. I know of, watched, or read lots of what’s been in pop culture. The Hunger Games came out of no where for me. Even when I spent weekends upon weekends in the bookstores, I’ve never heard of it until they started the advertising blitz last year. Should I read the book before the movie comes out? So I went in to the theatre last week blind. I didn’t even read the wikipedia page.

As I sat there I had to process the film on several levels. The first being as a film in and of itself. The second being the adaption of a book I didn’t even read. The third being the film as a pop culture phenomenon.

As a film, I liked it. It was enough action to keep me interested. Yet, I was bugged by it. As an adaption did it miss something from the book? I felt that it did, as plot points and themes that the readers of the book would figure out. I bet there was plenty I missed from not reading the book. It’s funny because my brother complained about the film and most of his complaints could’ve been handled if he had at least read the blurbs on the back of the soft cover his son was in the process of reading.

So the readers of the book could love this movie. There are points that those who haven’t can feel attached to the story, but it could be better if you know about the book before hand.

3 of 5 stars.

Baking Bacon in the Oven

broderic on April 7, 2012

I figured that instead of frying bacon in a pan I would try baking it in the oven.

I used a large cookie sheet which I was only able to arrange six slices of bacon on. The recipes I read online say to line it with aluminum foil. I pulled out of my drawer the aluminum foil I had. There was only a small sliver! So I forgo the aluminum foil and put the bacon on the cookie sheet. Maybe I should’ve applied a little something so that the bacon doesn’t stick. Why? Won’t the bacon oil keep it from doing that?

I set the oven to 375 and plan to bake the bacon for about 20 minutes. The bacon I had (Smithfield brown sugar cured) was rather thin as I stretched it across the pan. I bet thicker cut bacon would work better. As it baked, I watched it and took it out when the bacon looked brown and crispy around the 15 minute mark.

The bacon had stuck to the cookie sheet. I had to “scrape” it out. Although it was still crispy it was in several slivers of bacon. Note to self: get aluminum foil as the clean up was one of bacon grease all over the place.

Faidley’s Oyster Platter

broderic on April 7, 2012

Faidley's Oyster Platter

It would’ve been a tradition if only the one who help started it was still around. But still without Margaux, eating at Faidley’s before the Orioles home opener is still awesome. Plus, if you have french cuteness it’s doubly good.

(Here’s the story of the french cuteness: she was visiting with her husband a friend who worked in town.)

73 and 89

broderic on April 6, 2012

Season ticket holder

The title to this post refers to what I hope the Orioles record will be at the end of the season. Yup. Still below .500 and they’re still not gonna win that many no matter how much I wish. Not with that starting rotation or that defense. They’ll still be the bumbling Orioles. Lovable, but bumbling.

It’s Camden Yards’ Twentieth Anniversary, and for 14 of those years it’s been nothing but losing. Can you imagine that after all those sold out games of its first decade? It really is hard to imagine. The promise and the reality are just hard to figure.

These 2012 Orioles have a lot to prove, but must do it in the most toughest division in baseball. Their rivals are better organizations and make the owner look retarded. If only Orioles fans could get a better owner.

Well, at least we’re in first place by virtue of the alphabet.

Quote of the Day [4.03.12]

broderic on April 3, 2012

“That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!”Homer Simpson, The Simpsons, "Homie the Clown"

Megamillion Fever Dreams

broderic on April 3, 2012

Now that the Megamillions frenzy is over, we can breathe, laugh, and cry about the whole last week. Why? It’s because I had been daydreaming about winning. Hoping beyond hope to hit the jackpot. Praying for something that will never happen, but believing that just maybe, just maybe it may.

One of the winning tickets was bought down the road. I was at work on a Saturday when I heard that it was in Baltimore County. To continue working was difficult. I sat banging away code and thought maybe, just maybe, I had the winning ticket. I left work quickly determined to find out if I did.

I drove home thinking of all the ways to enjoy that money.

Of course I didn’t win. Just my luck. Yet, I knew. There were no cameras around the Exxon at work from which I bought my ticket. There would have been television crews to look for the winners. I didn’t see any; I wasn’t a winner.

There’s lots I would’ve done with that cash. I would dream about that lots. Who I would share it with? Who else I would share it with? I wouldn’t have a job quitting right there on the spot, because I don’t want to work no more. That was the last I could think, just get the hell out of work. One of the last things I need a new job.

Link of the Day [3.30.12]

broderic on March 30, 2012

I keep visiting online umbrella shops looking for a nice one. Most likely, I’ve already posted a link about umbrellas. Today’s link has some real cool umbrellas for a somewhat expensive yet decent price: expensive because an umbrella costing over a hundred dollars is ridiculous and decent because there are even more expensive ones out there. These are relatively good. I’m hoping that they are. I may buy one.

Why do I want an umbrella?

Bring on the rain!

http://www.londonundercover.co.uk/shop/umbrellas?all

Lil Big Monk

broderic on March 29, 2012

The MegaMillion jackpot is up to $500 million!

I had bought tickets last night. Actually, I only bought one for $1, but hit the $5 free play or something like that. The clerk said that I got a $5 credit and that I can buy another $5 worth of tickets. Being confused I went ahead and bought them. I thought she was asking for another $5 which I didn’t have. I wonder if I could’ve just cashed out and called it a day coming out $4 ahead. (In reality, it would be $3 ahead as I bought a ticket last Friday, too.)

Not any of the numbers I had received hit. Ain’t it a suckers bet?