“If I increased the budget every time morale was low, the guys in my asbestos factory would be driving around solid gold Cadillacs by now.”

I spent the usual hour on a Sunday at my local Barnes & Noble. I bought a book, a cook book, and some ice tea in bags. It was all on sale about 40% off because they are closing out the store. In month, they will be moving into their new digs just across the parking lot. They’re downsizing and converting to a different store format.

If you’ve been in an brick and mortar Amazon bookstore, then you’ll know what it will be like. It will be an end to wandering on Sundays amongst the shelves just browsing for everything and nothing. It will be the end of white mocas because they will no longer have a cafe. It will be the end of the semi-annually Criterion sale because they will not have music and video section. It will be a smaller selection of books to browse. It won’t have the bookstore feeling anymore to it. It will be just a store.

It will save me money, but I’ll be more sad. I won’t have a place to wander around anymore. I won’t have a place to go when bored. It’s an end of an era.

Baja Blast

It’s not like I’m gonna try another flavor. Okay maybe Code Red.

Although lately, I’ve been searching for Mountain Dew Baja Blast. Looking for it outside of Taco Bell, it’s natural home. It so happened back in June I bought a sixer, and then I became hooked on it.

I am always hoping to find it on my grocer’s shelves, but it is in limited release and in limited supply. As I do my weekly grocer shopping, I go down the sugary soda aisle hoping to see the electric blue. Sadly, it’s always one of the other flavors. Who likes Baja Gold? Or that watermelon looking one? Who is drinking those? It seems no one is as they are still unsold.

I am coming to the realization that maybe the summer of Baja Blast has come to an end. The shelves are full of Mountain Dew just no Baja Blast.

Satisfaction

Maiyan and Nanase together again. Drinking beer. Yes. Let’s go.

We won’t be seeing this for much longer considering that they’ll go on and do their things, but at least in this year, we get Nogi’s best once again.

Did I ever tell you how much I like Nogizaka46 members even after they have graduated from the group? Well then, consider this your notification.

Best Winter Snow Jacket

It’s a bit cold outside, and it’s been snowing the past few weeks. This means suit up when going outside. Something that will keep you warm. Something that will keep you dry. The one I have been wearing the past three years is the Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl jacket. It’s the best one I’ve owned.

First, it’s compact and warm. I’ve worn just a long sleeved tee in some cold and still be toasty. The jacket is made really for winter outdoor sports. You can strip down and still feel warm. It’s great.

Next, I got a really nice color. Usually, all that Patagonia has for their winter jackets are black and grey. Mine’s a blue. Or a grey, but wasn’t available again for a while until this year. It’s my favorite color and hopefully when it comes time to replace, they’ll have a color such as this again.

Finally, this is my second version of this jacket. The first one is just as warm, but isn’t svelte like the newest ones. I think that’s because they’ve figured out the insulation. Good warmth and light.

I guess I hope for another week of snow and cold so that I can get more use from it this season.

White Stone, Paradise Ska, and Lemon Water

Not sure what Shiraishi Mai is selling, but more of that off the shoulder action and I will go to my local conbini for some. Also, shouldn’t it really be Misa-senpai selling alcohol because she’s the sexy drinking senpai of Nogizaka?

Empty Aisle

Wandered around the local grocery store at 10 PM. I’m writing this after I got back.

It was all quiet. Peaceful.

I went in really for some frozen salmon. Earlier this evening I cooked the last I had for dinner. It was as an accompaniment for a salad. I used Chef John’s Miso Honey marinade as the flavoring. It turned out delicious. Afterwards, I wanted to replenish my freezer with some frozen salmon. Off to the grocery I went.

I also picked up a few odds and ends. I usually do that. For you see, I don’t really cook too much at home. Salads for lunch. The occasional soup. Breakfast of oatmeal. So that’s all I have. Dinner is… salad if I’m lucky. Or out. So when I shop for groceries, it’s usually weird stuff.

I bought a jar of jalapeños. I plan to make some jalapeño focaccia.

I bought lots of SweeTarts. I think I’m already sick of them.

I bought some frozen cod to go along with my frozen salmon.

I’ll be cooking some of it up this weekend. Let’s see if I know what to do!

Link of the Day [6.25.15]

I don't like business or finance, because of their relentless focus on making money without a care for how it affects the world. They have taken to heart the mantra: 'make money, make money, money, money.' Who does that philosophy put first? It certainly isn't employees, consumers, the economy, or the country, but the corporations, banks, and financial industry. There is nothing good when money is the sole focus of an endeavor. Especially, if you make it an excuse to gobble all the resources for yourself.

WWJD?

http://www.cringely.com/2015/06/24/the-u-s-computer-industry-is-dying-and-ill-tell-you-exactly-who-is-killing-it-and-why/

“No offence, Joe, but that is not really a talent.” “That’s big talk coming from a tap-dancing jelly maker who may or may not have been a high school thespian.”

Link of the Day [9.26.2014]

On my trips out to Wisconsin, I bring home a block of cheese or two. The first time was two years ago. I bought the cheese at the airport in Milwaukee. This year on the trips up I bought cheese at this store. At the airport in Green Bay, they shake me down thinking this cheese is a block of C4. In reality, this cheese is the bomb. Pardon me while I go make a grilled cheese sandwich with 7 year old sharp cheddar.

http://www.seguinscheese.com