I'm lounging on my bed, watching the Grammy's. Here's a recap:
8pm started off with Lady Gaga performing "Poker Face," and then singing a duet with Elton John (both playing on pianos)...interesting match...and both had their faces painted up...hmmm. Would have preferred her performing "Bad Romance." Oh well.
So, best song was won by Beyonce Knowles...was I surprised? No. Did I think she deserved it for the "Single Ladies" song? Not really. I don't care for the tune.
Best country song went to Taylor Swift...no surprise there. Thank God, Kanye West was nowhere in sight. I'd be seriously irritated if he interrupted her Thank You speech again.
CBS asked viewers to vote on its website for one of three songs that Bon Jovi will perform later tonight. I headed to the site, which was super-slow to load, and picked an old classic "Living on a Prayer." The '80s rock, people. I love when this song plays on the radio, especially when waking up to it in the mornings. Bon Jovi is from NJ, a real family man, and gets hotter and hotter as time passes. He's like fine wine....oh, bad example, as I don't like wine...okay, how about like aged cheese ;)
Pink's outfit....no comment.
Black Eyed Peas was entertaining as usual with their "Imma Be..." song, and then moving on to "I gotta feeling." Not sure of what to make of the robotic outfits.
Really liked the performance by Lady Antebellum singing "Need You Now." It's a beautiful, emotional song. I looked it up on the Internet to find out more about it. Boy, was I surprised that it's a country song. I'll say this then - this is the first country song I have thoroughly enjoyed. It hardly even feels like country. More like a mix of easy listening & pop and just a trace of country. Great tune by this group...yes, Lady Antebellum is a group, not just a single lady performing. I found this out today, so don't feel bad if you hadn't heard about this group before.
I thought Grammy's were all about singing. The Best Comedy Album category doesn't appear to require any singing. Strange category. Well, Steven Colbert won.
Record of the Year won by Kings of Leone.
Next, Jamie Foxx performed a song. I muted it, so I could look up the "Need You Now" song on YouTube. Nice video.
Best Rock Album - Green Day.
Leon Russell performed. Again, I muted, so I could finish watching "Need You Now." I love the piano playing accompanying this song. And the lyrics are really so beautiful...'picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor, reaching for the phone 'cause, I can't fight it anymore. And I wonder if I ever cross your mind, for me it happens all the time. It's a quarter after one, and I'm all alone and I need you know...' Wow. Those are very moving and sad lyrics. This is an iPod worthy song.
Taylor Swift performed next on her guitar. Again, I muted it. My remote sure is getting a workout from constantly being muted and unmuted.
Next was Michael Jackson's tribute. A presentation was given in 3-D. Several top perfomers sang - Celine Dion, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, and Smokey Robinson.
And then.....Bon Jovi. Started off with "We weren't born to follow," then "Who says you can't go home." And then the song that viewers voted on that got performed next was: "Living on a Prayer." YES!!!!!!!
Best Rap Song Collaboration - Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West.
For Haiti - Andrea Bocelli and Mary J Blige performed the song "Like a Bridge over Troubled Water."
Adam Sandler came on to present the Dave Matthews Band. He wore Usher's jacket, because he forgot to dress formal.
Best Female Pop Vocal - Beyonce
Okay; I think there are another 30 minutes or so of Grammy viewing. I'm muting it now, unless some really interesting category comes on. Have been watching for 2 and a half hours. It's time to call it a day.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
NYC Restaurant Week Truck: Soup
Okay, I waited in a long line today in front of the NYC Restaurant Week Truck. It was freezing...mind you, it had snowed earlier today. My turn came about 30 minutes later, and I got myself a nice piping hot cup of soup; the flavor - butternut squash leek soup with cranberry beans and sage coupons. Yummy! The soup came with bread. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised when I found my paper bag containing not one, not two, but three rolls of bread ;) By the way, the name of the restaurant from where the soup came from is called Nice Matin.
For every soup purchase ($6), $1 was contributed to Haiti. I think it's a great idea, because those single dollars do add up, and will provide the country with much-needed assistance.
For every soup purchase ($6), $1 was contributed to Haiti. I think it's a great idea, because those single dollars do add up, and will provide the country with much-needed assistance.
Friday, January 22, 2010
NYC Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week is a big deal in NYC, and it starts next week. If you're not familiar with it, it represents two weeks of so-called lower-priced meals by some of the top and most expensive restaurants in the city. These restaurants will offer a three-course meal for $24.07 (lunch) or $35 (dinner). Ordinarily, you'd probably be spending double. However, I still think it's a bit too pricy, because you've got to take into account a beverage + tax + tip.
So, if you don't want to shell out the above $$ amounts, but wish you could do some sampling, there is another option this time around, and that is the "NYC Restaurant Week Truck." This vehicle will carry a variety of soups from the top restaurants - each day a different selection. The parking space will be at different locations. If you are interested in the schedule + the menu, see the nycgo.com website and look up Restaurant Week. The cost of one of the exotic sounding soups is $6 and includes bread. Trying out the soup will give you a mini sampling of what high-end cuisine is all about, but won't hurt your budget so much. I will be going that route, if I can make the location. Happy Eating!
So, if you don't want to shell out the above $$ amounts, but wish you could do some sampling, there is another option this time around, and that is the "NYC Restaurant Week Truck." This vehicle will carry a variety of soups from the top restaurants - each day a different selection. The parking space will be at different locations. If you are interested in the schedule + the menu, see the nycgo.com website and look up Restaurant Week. The cost of one of the exotic sounding soups is $6 and includes bread. Trying out the soup will give you a mini sampling of what high-end cuisine is all about, but won't hurt your budget so much. I will be going that route, if I can make the location. Happy Eating!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
How to Entertain Yourself When you Have a Cold
For the past week, I have had a pretty nasty cold, which thanks to the weather aggravated it. My weekend was spent mostly at home trying to recuperate. But for me, there's nothing more boring than being stuck for an extended period of time in a room (unless of course, I'm sleeping) without anything to keep me entertained.
So, after loading up on Tylenol Cold, Vapor Rub, and a packet of cough drops, drinking plenty of orange juice and slurping on piping hot soup, I entertained myself by watching Season 1 & 2 of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight." I had read a lot about this TLC show back in the summer, when Jon made a bit of too much headline news.
I had never heard of this show before, but decided it could be quite useful to know how to raise eight kids at once.....especially from an organizational, logistical and financial point of view. Plus, those little sextuplets are so adorable. You don't require the use of too many brain cells to watch this show, which is good, because when you have a cold, your intellectual cells seem to be asleep ;)
Other things you can do: sleep, read a book (though I don't really do this when I'm sick, because my eyes usually feel too tired to read a book), listen to an audiobook/podcast or music, email family/friends, surf the Internet, and sleep...did I say this already?
PS = I am forced to do laundry today though, as I am running out of clean clothes. It's still an indoor activity, so can fall under the things to do.
So, after loading up on Tylenol Cold, Vapor Rub, and a packet of cough drops, drinking plenty of orange juice and slurping on piping hot soup, I entertained myself by watching Season 1 & 2 of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight." I had read a lot about this TLC show back in the summer, when Jon made a bit of too much headline news.
I had never heard of this show before, but decided it could be quite useful to know how to raise eight kids at once.....especially from an organizational, logistical and financial point of view. Plus, those little sextuplets are so adorable. You don't require the use of too many brain cells to watch this show, which is good, because when you have a cold, your intellectual cells seem to be asleep ;)
Other things you can do: sleep, read a book (though I don't really do this when I'm sick, because my eyes usually feel too tired to read a book), listen to an audiobook/podcast or music, email family/friends, surf the Internet, and sleep...did I say this already?
PS = I am forced to do laundry today though, as I am running out of clean clothes. It's still an indoor activity, so can fall under the things to do.
Friday Dinner
On Friday, I had dinner with one of my closest friends from the good old college days....hadn't seen her in almost a year, even though we're both within reasonable commuting distance of the city. But with our schedules, it's hard to plan so that we're both free at the same time. But finally, Friday we decided, it must be done. Of course, we picked one of the coldest days of the year :)
It was a lot of fun catching up on the good old times, while eating shrimps in a delightful cilantro/lemony flavored sauce with vegetable rice at a Mexican restaurant. Thankfully, the place wasn't too crowded, otherwise we would have been forced to vacate the table in an hour (this is NY people, not Europe, where lingering for several hours at a table is highly encouraged).
Dessert was not necessary, but as you're sitting at the table yacking away, your eyes roam over what other people are devouring. Of course, seeing those bowls of scoops and scoops of ice cream, dripping in chocolate fudge, and all the other sinful, delightful toppings, it weakens your New Year's Resolution thoroughly...hmm, Friday was the 8th....so I kept my resolution for 8 days :)....will start fresh the following week...I promise, really, I do.
It's funny, but when the waiter dropped off the dessert menus in front of us the first time, we scanned it, deliberated like highly intellectual scientists, and then with great dignity, returned it to the waiter, saying "no thanks." Then 10 minutes passed, 20 minutes...and our resolves crumbled just like a cookie crumbles when one bites into it. So we asked for the dessert menus again.
We each ordered ice cream. I had mine with Mexican pastry puffs, while my friend had hers with a chocolate brownie. Both brought us over the recommended daily calorie count (which I believe is a max of 2,500 calories). Oh well. It was worth it, and who said that indulging once in a blue moon isn't allowed?
It was a lot of fun catching up on the good old times, while eating shrimps in a delightful cilantro/lemony flavored sauce with vegetable rice at a Mexican restaurant. Thankfully, the place wasn't too crowded, otherwise we would have been forced to vacate the table in an hour (this is NY people, not Europe, where lingering for several hours at a table is highly encouraged).
Dessert was not necessary, but as you're sitting at the table yacking away, your eyes roam over what other people are devouring. Of course, seeing those bowls of scoops and scoops of ice cream, dripping in chocolate fudge, and all the other sinful, delightful toppings, it weakens your New Year's Resolution thoroughly...hmm, Friday was the 8th....so I kept my resolution for 8 days :)....will start fresh the following week...I promise, really, I do.
It's funny, but when the waiter dropped off the dessert menus in front of us the first time, we scanned it, deliberated like highly intellectual scientists, and then with great dignity, returned it to the waiter, saying "no thanks." Then 10 minutes passed, 20 minutes...and our resolves crumbled just like a cookie crumbles when one bites into it. So we asked for the dessert menus again.
We each ordered ice cream. I had mine with Mexican pastry puffs, while my friend had hers with a chocolate brownie. Both brought us over the recommended daily calorie count (which I believe is a max of 2,500 calories). Oh well. It was worth it, and who said that indulging once in a blue moon isn't allowed?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
"Survivor" TV Show
I have been a fan of "Survivor" since the finale of Season 1. What's it been now? 19 Seasons? Well, on Feb 11 2010, Season 20 begins, and its theme is Heroes vs. Villains. That's exciting, because I would like to see some of the prior castmates come back and compete once more. Most exciting for me is the drama, backstabbing, alliances, and lies that occur, and of course my favorite, the surprising vote counts.
Today, CBS announced the names of the people coming back. I'm quite excited about many of them - some I won't be rooting for, but will thoroughly enjoy their plotting and manipulation, i.e., Rob Mariano, Russell Hantz; and others, I hope will go far in the game, i.e., Cirie Fields, Amanda Kimmel, and Parvati Shallow. But honestly, I won't know who I want in the final two, until I've seen these people back in action, see if their game play has changed, and how well they play the game. Only once the season starts (2 hrs on Feb 11th...yes), will I know who should be in the final two.
Today, CBS announced the names of the people coming back. I'm quite excited about many of them - some I won't be rooting for, but will thoroughly enjoy their plotting and manipulation, i.e., Rob Mariano, Russell Hantz; and others, I hope will go far in the game, i.e., Cirie Fields, Amanda Kimmel, and Parvati Shallow. But honestly, I won't know who I want in the final two, until I've seen these people back in action, see if their game play has changed, and how well they play the game. Only once the season starts (2 hrs on Feb 11th...yes), will I know who should be in the final two.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010: New Year Resolutions
Today is 1/1/2010 - the first day of the first month of a new decade.....three "1's" in the date. I would like to wish you, dear reader, a very Happy New Year. I do hope it is a good year.
Like almost everyone else, I have made New Year's Resolutions. Below are some that I would like to share (some shall remain a secret...those who know me real well, know what other goals I would like to meet :)
1. Work out on a regular basis (at least 2-3 times per week) so that I stay in shape. I am by no means fat, but seriously, not working out, does make me feel quite lethargic...yawn. I will keep a journal to track down how many minutes I work out each time I do. The stats should be interesting and hopefully, steady :)
2. Eat healthier (instead of eating desserts daily, I will try to limit it to once to twice a week), and will focus on more veggies and fruits, and less junk food (sorry McDonald's...love yah, especially the filet o' fish, but will try to limit it).
Note: I will not stop drinking coffee, because it is not considered unhealthy...an article in late December 2009 in the WSJ confirmed that, thank you very much.
3. Go to more "cultural" events, e.g., try out different ethnic cuisines/attend fairs, learn more about history, listen to more intellectual podcasts rather than just the comedic ones, visit museums, try to see a play or two, etc.
4. Try out new recipes of different ethnicities.
5. Do some volunteering, ideally involving nature and/or kids.
6. Would love to travel to another country (Ireland, anyone :)....not sure if this is possible, but if it is, I would be absolutely thrilled). In the meantime, I will feel like I'm living that dream by watching a movie called "Leap Year"....I heard it takes place in Ireland. Can't wait. It releases on Jan 8, 2010.
7. Try to read at least one bestseller a month...that is, if the topic interests me...if not a bestseller, then at least one book a month :)
8. Study and prepare well for exams, so that I pass.
It's funny, but number 1 & 2 always appear on my New Year Resolutions list each and every year I made one.....hmm, I guess that's kind of a long-term goal.
Like almost everyone else, I have made New Year's Resolutions. Below are some that I would like to share (some shall remain a secret...those who know me real well, know what other goals I would like to meet :)
1. Work out on a regular basis (at least 2-3 times per week) so that I stay in shape. I am by no means fat, but seriously, not working out, does make me feel quite lethargic...yawn. I will keep a journal to track down how many minutes I work out each time I do. The stats should be interesting and hopefully, steady :)
2. Eat healthier (instead of eating desserts daily, I will try to limit it to once to twice a week), and will focus on more veggies and fruits, and less junk food (sorry McDonald's...love yah, especially the filet o' fish, but will try to limit it).
Note: I will not stop drinking coffee, because it is not considered unhealthy...an article in late December 2009 in the WSJ confirmed that, thank you very much.
3. Go to more "cultural" events, e.g., try out different ethnic cuisines/attend fairs, learn more about history, listen to more intellectual podcasts rather than just the comedic ones, visit museums, try to see a play or two, etc.
4. Try out new recipes of different ethnicities.
5. Do some volunteering, ideally involving nature and/or kids.
6. Would love to travel to another country (Ireland, anyone :)....not sure if this is possible, but if it is, I would be absolutely thrilled). In the meantime, I will feel like I'm living that dream by watching a movie called "Leap Year"....I heard it takes place in Ireland. Can't wait. It releases on Jan 8, 2010.
7. Try to read at least one bestseller a month...that is, if the topic interests me...if not a bestseller, then at least one book a month :)
8. Study and prepare well for exams, so that I pass.
It's funny, but number 1 & 2 always appear on my New Year Resolutions list each and every year I made one.....hmm, I guess that's kind of a long-term goal.
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