Damnit Now I'm Hungry

You’re all probably tired of reading me write about alcohol all the time (I’m lying who the hell gets tired of drinking?). Anyhow, for something different, today’s post will cover another subject near and dear to my heart -- food.

I LOVE FOOD. I am constantly watching the Food Network and other food related TV shows, I would gladly pay to eat at [good] "fancy" and expensive restaurants, I've been known to throw down in the kitchen a bit, I will occassionally glance at a food blog or two, and I want more foie gras.

This post will cover my three favorite foods. For the sake of building suspense that you will not feel anyway, I will present my favorites in reverse order. Screw you.

3. FRIED CHICKEN

Yes folks, fried chicken is indeed food crack. It’s fairly cheap and you can get it everywhere. There are fast food chains, grocery stores, and every diner or eating establishment has their own version of fried legs, wings, thighs, and breasts.

Which one do I think is best? Of course homemade is the best -- its made with love. Not for nothing, but can one of my darker friends please invite me over for dinner sometime? Come on.

Anyhow, if you can’t get your paws on some home made fried chicken, try out the grocery store. I know for a fact that Shop Rite and Pathmark make totally decent (decent as in amazing) fried chicken for really decent prices. The other day I picked up an 8 piece for $7.00 -- not bad at all. And if you’re Filipino, and I am, all you’ll need is some rice and you’re set for a banging meal.

Fast food franchise wise, the answer is simple. The best fast food fried chicken comes from Popeye’s -- no question about it. It’s crispy, its spicy, its fucking fantastic. Hook yourself up with some red beans and rice, a biscuit, a Hi-C fruit punch, and you’re good.

I will admit that I was a little intrigued by KFC’s new commercials saying they have “a cook in every KFC” and use Tyson brand chicken. Then I thought, WTF they didn’t have cooks and real chicken before? Whatever, KFC gives me stomach aches. I think it’s their oil.

2. LECHON / ROAST PORK




It might be a Filipino or Hispanic thing but GD lechon is awesome. For those not in the know, lechon is a whole roast pig as shown by the picture above.

Some may be intimidated by the seeing the actual face of the thing they’re about to eat but not me. Shit, some people even eat the eyeballs. Even if you are scared, try the stuff. You will change your mind.

The best part of lechon is the skin. It’s crispy and delicious. Pork Rinds you get at Quik Chek do not do lechon skin justice -- although I eat those too.

The actual pork meat is really tender and good as well. My mouth is literally watering just thinking about this. Maybe lechon is my #1 favorite food…

1. STEAK

And the champ (for now) is steak. I’m a man, what can I say? I love steak and will order it almost anywhere, anytime, and often.

You know how George Costanza ordered a t-bone steak at lunchtime to encourage his co-workers to call him “T-Bone”? Well me, I order steak at lunchtime and they call me Tom. It’s just not usual.

First things first, I like my steak medium rare. I came across some trouble with this the past two times I’ve ordered steak at two different places. Both times the server presented me with a good looking steak, until I cut it. The steaks were medium/medium well, and if you’re like me this is unacceptable. How do I combat this? Do I ask for straight up rare? For reference the picture above is what I’m looking for. Is that not medium rare? Is my expectation wrong?

In terms of cut, ribeye is my favorite. I also like eating prime rib at Houlihans, will eat any other cut of steak you offer me, and secretly will always think filet mignon is crap.

Anyhow, I’m hungry as hell now and all I’m doing for lunch is going to the gym. This blows.

PS - Don’t trip Baus, this is just a one time thing. I’m not stealing your gig. =)

Sorry

Sorry blog audience -- I have neglected you.

The life of Tom_Ace has been quite eventful as of late: work has been extremely busy (damn), I went on a family snowboarding trip to Okemo Mountain in Vermont (awesome), and I went on an unexpectedly good business trip to Orlando (very fun).

I won't bore you with my work problems, but unfortunately I just haven't had much time to think or write anything worthwhile.

Snowboarding was fun. I just wish I was better at it. Next season, next season...

Someone buy me a Lib-Tech Skate Banana.

I'm probably not good enough to make full use of all its capabilities but I'll learn.

Even though it was for work, my trip to Orlando was kind of off the chains. My part of the presentation went well, the dinner and drinks with the client was great (and free), and I even saw a bikini show. Let's just say the nickname I have for the city of Orlando did in fact hold true. Let's just say I was glad it was St. Patrick's Day and little shamrock stickers could be strategically placed and used as substitutes for a bikini top.

Here is a pretty bad picture I took using my phone's camera. Check it though -- the girl to the far left looks almost naked. That is because she pretty much was. Hooray for Orlando!

Anyhow, hopefully I'll have more free time to hook ya'll up with my flavor. My writing, I mean.

I know I am supposed to be doing a Happy Hour alcohol entry so here is a little tip. Before taking a shot of alcohol, take a deep breath in. Then drink the shot all the way down. Then, you exhale. Makes the shot hella easier. Trust me.

Have a great weekend folks.

Be careful. I love you, aight?

American Idol - I'm Lazy

Work has been fucking hell the past couple of weeks so my blogging ambition took a backseat.

I was going to post a long and thoughtful post of my American Idol Predictions, but instead I'm just going to write haikus for my favorite contestants.

Lil Rounds

"Lil Rounds" quite the name,

for the lady with big voice

and three young children.

Megan Joy

You are quite sexy,

but you move like a chicken.

I would still do you.

Matt Giraud

You have a chin strap.

I am jealous because I don't.

I hope you don't win.

Allison Iraheta

Since you are sixteen,

I cannot say much besides,

you sing very well.

Who goes home tonight, you ask? I would have to say, Alexis (the chick who went last) and Scott (hopefully).

PS - I am having trouble spacing this shit. If anyone can help, please do. Thanks!

Friday Happy Hour - What Kind Do You Want?

As promised, here comes another blog post about everyone's favorite subject -- drinking. Since I already discussed my favorite drinks last week, this week I am going to highlight those awesome little get-me-drunk-quick-ers called shots.

First, don't expect to see any of those wild and crazy "fuzzy nipples", "mind erasers", or "oatmeal cookies" on my list. I mean don't get me wrong, I will drink such shots if you buy them for me, but I won't buy that shit myself. Something about mixing alcohol with juices or saying the words "blue smurf piss" reminds me of something... oh yeah, being a bitch. Leave these ones to the ladies fellas.

"Soco and lime" is also included on that list. Soco is so senior year of highschool, so freshman year of college. You're grown, grow a pair already.

On to my favorites...


Much like my favorite drink, "The Tom", one of my favorite shots is the plain vodka shot. Of course I prefer a shot of Grey Goose or Kettle One, but I can get down with Svedka or Absolut too if need be.

Vodka is just easy for me. This is probably related to my regular and frequent consumption of it but I don't want to discuss my problems that right now.

Ahhh... God's gift to urban America -- Hennessy.

Hennessy gets a lot of flack. Granted, I will admit that the stuff smells strong. As soon as you walk into a room you can smell me if someone has just been drinking some hen-rock. Then theres also that whift of it you get right before you take a shot of it. This is usually what turns away those who didn't really want to take the shot in the first place but were coerced to. Once they smell that distinct Hennessy smell, their courage crumbles. Not me though, I'm strong (scrong).

Honestly, Hennessy is smooth as hell. When I take shots of it, there is never that bite or discomfort you get after drinking other shots. You know that bad feeling in your throat; I get it from drinking tequila. Tequila is gross and will not be on my list.

The only fault with Hennessy is that it can be expensive as hell. I've seen a Hennessy fifth going for as much as $40 bucks. Outrageous. Why is everybody always trying to keep Urban America down? You know what I mean.

Last and least (in my heart), is Jameson's Irish Whiskey (Top 3 though! Alright!). I know lots of people out there drink Jack Daniels and hold it very near and dear, but I really just prefer the Irish stuff.

Me and my friend Steve Rizzy used to drink JD a lot when we were both young, dumb, and full of c 20. We would get drunk on JD and talk about how pissed we were to not be 21 yet. And when I say "got drunk", I mean got absolutely hammered. I remember (actually I don't remember) making many drunk dial phone calls during those nights. Not cool, not good, and diverging from my normally super suave self. Anyhow, ever since those days, I can't get myself to drink the stuff.

As soon as we did finally turn 21, me, Rizzy, and now also Grimmags would sometimes go to bars and drink shots of Jameson all night. I think Rizzy was the one who suggested them, but I also know that it was always Grimmags who paid for them. "Shots on Grimmags!" was the theme of those times. Those memories of good, free whiskey will always stay with me when I take shots of the smooth Irish stuff.

In the end though, drinking alcohol is always up to personal preference. This is what I drink, not necessarily what you would like to drink. Then again, I'm better than you. Keep that in mind. =)

Enjoy your weekend and don't drink and drive.

Be careful. I love you, aight?

Yes. I Watch American Idol.

What up blog audience?

I'm going to confess to one of Tom Ace's guilty pleasures.  I watch American Idol.  I don't watch it religiously, but I do watch it often and regularly -- like going to church.  Wait what?  

This season has gotten a lot of publicity, but not necessarily for great reasons.  From the questionable addition of new judge Kara, to changes to shows rules and format (not to mention declining ratings and a supposed cat fight [meeeow!] between the aforementioned Kara and the always entertaining Paula Abdul),  people have begun to wonder whether the AI phenomenon is over.

That's not what my post is about.  I'm not a fan boy or anything.  I love Simon.  Wait what?  Regardless, I'll probably check out the show as long as its on.  I like music -- sue me.  

This post has a different focus, much more questionable content, possibly controversial even.  

Pcitured below is American Idol contestant Scott. 

Scott looks like your average, kinda goofy guy on the surface.  After close investigation, I have come to a new conclusion; Scott is just that, an average, kinda goofy guy who is also blind.

Scott is not a great singer.  He is not a great piano player.  Yet, for some reason, he remains a judge favorite to make it into the show's highly coveted Final 12 Round.  New judge Kara even said Scott "moves mountains when he sings."  Really?  He does?  I'm going to start using that phrase.  

"I move mountains when I'm in the bedroom, ladies."  

"I move mountains when I'm on the toilet."

"I move mountains when I'm shifting tectonic plates."

Neverthless, I digress.

Scott's voice is slightly above average at best, and as shown during Hollywood Week, his supposedly awesome skills behind the piano leave more than a little something to be desired.  

I mean I get it.  I get the sentimentality of it all.  The underdog story.   The guy overcoming odds.  Shit, Scott is even a nice guy.  However, nice and a good story does not an American Idol make. What the hell was that song he sang too?  Simon usually would have ripped him on that. 

Remove the blindness and the judges would've been all over that fool.  Actually scratch that, remove the whole blind thing and Scott isn't even past Day 1 in Hollywood.

Scott is not Stevie Wonder ladies and gentlemen.    

Nevertheless, although I am blogging this right as the results show begins, I know for certain that Scott is making the Final 12.  I'll bet you a million bucks.

It's pretty much a certainty, and pretty much bullshit.  

"Snowball? What's a Snowball?"

Props to you if you know what movie the title of this mini-post comes from.  It's a quote from a funny ass dialogue.  Leave the answer as a comment and impress me.  

Anyhow, as most of you know, the heavens opened up and dumped 6-8 inches of snow on the tri-state area.

While I was glad to work from home, using my personal latop is not the best workstation.  Everything is slow as shit and work BS just gets more frustrating because of that.  

Anyhow, I couldn't get to an entry all day.  

Inspired by today's snowstorm, please enjoy viewing the thing I will be waiting for all week long.   The shipment gets in on Friday.  Yeee...!

This, ladies and gentleman is the Forum Stomper 2009.  I will be ripping and shreading the slopes of Okemo, VT with it in two weeks.  Alright alright, I'll be trying to anyway.

I can't wait.   

Anyone want to go somewhere more local before that?  After Friday though.  But not during the weekend.  Then I'm down.