Look what the hell I found at Hooters here in Ft Wayne! a big ass cockroach! pass this around! the manager didnt even come out in time to see it after the waitress said she would get them. it disappeared somewhere. it was at least an inch long and nice and fat!

The wooden item he is sitting on is a paper towel dispenser, found on all tables at Hooters. And now for you listening enjoyment:

Download audio file (cucaracha.mp3)

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There is a sale going on in Europe, thanks to financial problems in Greece, Ireland and a couple more European countries, that can benefit you but won’t help our economy much.

The dollar has risen between three and five percent on most world currencies and is poised (great word) to go much higher. That means an extra day in London, a few more gifts from Rome, a very, very nice dinner for two followed by tango in Buenos Aires, an adventurous cruise up the Amazon where their coin is discounted just a bit over eight percent.

Since January 1st the dollar has been on a tear, relatively speaking in the world of foreign exchange. The dollar is five percent higher against the Danish Krone. Kobenhaven: a truly lovely city. Up six percent against the Hungarian forint: Budapest, gulash, gypsy bands and the broad Danube. Up five percent against the South African rand just in time for the World Cup. For the more prosaic traveler the British pound is down almost four percent against the dollar. And, Chile, where a never-ending sea coast and fertile hills yield bikinis, great sea food and world class wine is discounted almost seven percent. Investors are seeking shelter in the US dollar, so they are buying our greenback and selling their currencies.

Only the Russian ruble, the Japanese yen and a few other Asian currency are holding par or rising, as is the case with the Yen, against the dollar. In the Middle East the currencies of most oil countries have stayed on a par with our dollar.

So, now is a good time for travel to certain countries or to get a discount on goods and services they produce.

It is, however, not the best time to be an exporter, as President Obama hopes. American goods are consequently more expensive now because our money has risen in value. That means our products will be pricy compared to the same product from another part of the world. That makes it harder to create or sustain jobs in our export industries. A more expensive dollar is a drag on jobs, but good for travel, education, leisure,

There are a few countries where their currency has risen against the dollar, where our products are consequently cheaper: Columbia, Japan and Israel. Hmmm. Well, we could sell brake assemblies to the Japanese.

Export is important to any economy. It equates with income. We, as a nation are spending more than we earn. This is described monthly as a balance of trade imbalance. China and Germany will continue to be the two top exporters, that is countries with a favorable balance of payments with the rest of the world. These two countries earn more than they spend. Germany makes high value products, China makes low end products. You can find German and Chinese products everywhere, but not so American products in the rest of the world.

So, I will guess that given the economic troubles in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, collectively ridiculed as the PIIGS due to their bad investments and profligate spending, the dollar will continue to be a safe haven for foreign investors. The dollar will continue to rise in value and your summer vacation to see the cousins in Germany or muddle about the streets of London will be significantly cheaper. Unfortunately, it is not doing job creation and balance of payment problems much good.

Enjoy your trip. Gute Reise! Bon voyage.

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From what my mother tells me, she would simmer them for hours in a pot of red sauce, then the fun began. Eating them.

What are they?

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More as the story develops.

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The term “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” has been associated with those that think MSG has somehow caused one or more of their ailments. For the uneducated, ignorant and those that believe in the conspiracy theories surrounding MSG, here a few facts.

MSG is a flavor enhancer, and its principal component is an amino acid called glutamic acid or glutamate. Glutamate is found naturally in protein-containing foods such as meat, vegetables, poultry and milk. The human body also produces glutamate naturally in large amounts. The muscles, brain and other body organs contain about four pounds of glutamate, and human milk is rich in glutamate, compared to cow’s milk, for example.

MSG is a natural product which is usually produced through fermentation, a process similar to that used in making beer, vinegar and yogurt. The process usually begins with the fermentation of corn, sugar beets or sugar cane. The finished product is a pure, white crystal which dissolves easily and blends well in many foods.

The University of Texas School of Public Health, the University of Texas Health Science Center and Harvard University School of Public Health conducted a study on MSG involving 3000 participants. They found that less than 2 percent of respondents reported symptoms characteristic of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, and only 6 individuals associated these characteristics with consumption of Chinese food. In contrast, forty-three percent of respondents associated unpleasant symptoms with all kinds of foods and eating environments.

Department of Physiology, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Services conducted a study in 1985. Individuals with purported symptoms of Chinese Restaurant Syndrome consumed a liquid solution containing 6 grams of MSG and an MSG-free control solution for comparison in a double-blind test.

The result. None responded only to MSG. 33% of the subjects reacted slightly to both the control solution and to the MSG solution, while the remaining people had no reaction to either solution. The study confirmed that MSG does not cause Chinese Restaurant Syndrome in most people who claimed to suffer from the syndrome.

There’s a lot more, and I won’t bore you with that now. The point is, MSG has never been proven clinically to cause harm to humans. Instead, people use it the same way they use fibromyalgia. It’s a quick target to blame for what ails you with no conclusive diagnosis.

I know I’ll take some heat on this. If you care to throw barbs, at least back it up with substantiated and legitimate studies, and good luck with that.

Below is a list of some of the maladies people associate MSG. I’m not sure I could expand on this. It includes everything from symptoms associated with smoking, bad digestive symptoms and bowel disease, (read: bad diet), ADHD, runny noses and being (fat) overweight.

- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath, chest pains, asthma
- Slowed speech
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
- Swelling, pain, or numbness of hands, feet, jaw
- Chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, allergy reactions, dry cough, hoarseness or sore throat
- Irregular heart beat or blood pressure, racing heart
- Pain in joints or bones
- Heavy, weak feeling in arms and legs
- Depression or mood change, bipolar, SAD
- Flushing or tingling in face, chest, pressure behind eyes
- Irritable bowel or colitis
- Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, colitis, IBS
- Gagging reflex or difficulty swallowing
- Attention deficit disorder, anxiety attacks, rage, panic attacks
- Balance problems, dizziness, or seizures, mini-strokes
- Hyperactivity, behavioral problems
- Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, fibromyalgia, MS, Parkinson’s
- Tenderness in localized areas, neck, back, etc.
- Chronic post nasal drip
- Pressure behind eyes or on head, neck, shoulders
- Sleep disorders
- Skin rash, itching, hives
- ADD, ADHD, Rage Disorder
- Blurred vision or difficulty breathing
- Bloated face, dark circles under strained eyes
- Asthma
- Chronic fatigue or sleepiness
- Extreme thirst or dry mouth
- Weight problems, obesity, hypoglycemia
- Excessive perspiring or shuddering and chills
- Difficulty concentrating and poor memory

I’m off to get some Chinese food. So there.

Fact source. www.msgfacts.com

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NYC cocktail update – Apotheke (September 14, 2008)

UPDATE: I got a much clearer picture of Apotheke’s reservation policy, so I’ve spelled it out in more detail below.

I’m writing with an update on the newest haute-cocktail scene in Chinatown named Apotheke. As I’m sure many of you have already heard by now, it’s opening in a former opium den in an obscure, difficult to reach location in a quiet corner of Chinatown.

It officially opened a couple weeks ago, but not to the general public. It was the scene of some Fashion Week parties and various other private events, but as of this past Friday the 12th, Apotheke is officially open to regular joes like you and me. For the average mixology-seeking cocktail enthusiast, though, Apotheke is shaping up to be quite a different scene than PDT, Death and Company, and others.

Here’s the official reservation policy, procedure, and information:

It costs $1,000 to make a table reservation, and that $1,000 is the minimum table spend, not the upfront cost

The $1,000 can be spent any way the group would like, whether it’s on cocktails or bottle service

Cocktails start at $15 and go much higher depending on ingredients and size

Tables can fit between 5 and 10 people, but the majority fit 5

I did the math for you, dear readers: for an average table, each person would have to buy on average 10 cocktails to reach the $1,000 minimum

You do not need a reservation to go, but there’s definitely going to be a long wait

To make reservations, call 212-406-0400 between 12pm and 6pm Monday through Saturday
Apotheke is open from 6:30pm through 2am Monday through Saturday

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The following restaurants were recently inspected by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Health Department. The inspections list the number of non-critical violations: NCV, and detail critical violations.

Applebee’s, 5414 Meijer Drive: NCV: 2

Critical violations: Employee failed to wash hands; cigarette observed on food preparation line; food temperatures incorrect; employee failed to sanitize thermometer before using it; employees failed to change contaminated single-use gloves; hand sink not maintained clean

Bourbon St. Grill, 4201 Coldwater Road: NCV: 7

Critical violations: No proof of certified food handler; employees failed to wash hands; food temperatures incorrect; potentially hazardous cooked foods left on counter; employee failed to change contaminated single-use gloves; hand sink access blocked; food stored in cracked, broken and soiled plastic containers; harborage conditions not minimized, grease and food debris throughout kitchen; plumbing not maintained in good repair; non-food-grade bleach used as sanitizer

Classic Café Inc., 4832 Hillegas Road: NCV: 5

Critical violations: Foods not date-marked; white mold-like spots observed on cucumbers; spatulas chipped, broken and torn

New China Garden, 5745 St. Joe Road: NCV: 11

Critical violations: Raw foods improperly stored; hand sink access blocked; soiled linen used to wrap crab rangoon and pan of egg rolls; wood stain and oil stored above curry powder and baking powder; harborage conditions not minimized, grease and food debris observed throughout kitchen

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Corn on the cob wrapped in hickory bacon with two hot dogs and two Colby-Jack cheese sticks wrapped in ground beef.

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Sounds yummy to me. You can find the recipe here.

AWB

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This is all the rage across the Internet. It boasts 5,000 calories and an artery clogging 500 grams of fat. The creator’s blog, www.bbqaddicts.com, has had more than 500,000 page views in the past month.

You can find the recipe here.

Oink! – AWB

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INDIANAPOLIS – State lawmakers gave a strong nod of approval Wednesday to nearly doubling the state’s cigarette tax as part of a health insurance initiative offered by Democrats in the House Public Health Committee.

The panel wrapped the 54.5-cent-per-pack tax hike into House Bill 1008. The initial amendment sought a 29.5-cent increase after a proposal earlier this week contemplated only a 4.5-cent jump

As I have stated before, I don’t smoke, but man, it sure seems to me like not only the city of Fort Wayne, but the state also, really sticks it to the smokers.

The proposed increase would bring Indiana’s per pack tobacco tax to $1.10. Currently it is 55.5 cents, with the national average being 99.7 cents.

To me this is sad, it is almost as if smokers have become a minority that lawmakers seem to make an example of and punish for their choice to smoke. The sad part is some people are basically addicted to their cigarattes, and are going to smoke no matter what. The tax increase will only be a further negative effect on some families.

The entire store in today’s Journal Gazette.

Posted by Lucy.

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I agree with his take on some of the spots.

Winner: Bud Light
In an attempt to appeal to young men, Bud Light delivered a number of slapstick, juvenile numbers that certainly pleased its target demo. From a rock-paper-scissor match that got out of hand, to the auctioneer wedding official, to the English as a Second Language class that taught the ins and outs of gaining and protecting beer, to an axe-wielding hitchhiker, there were predictable yet effective laughs.

My kids were rolling over the rock-paper-scissor match. It was cute.

Loser: Snickers

Two greasy auto mechanics wind up French kissing in pursuit of a candy bar? And that was designed to appeal to whom exactly? If they were determined to go with the lame, played-out gay humor angle, couldn’t they have gotten “Brokeback Mountain” into it?

I agree, pretty disgusting. ‘Nuf said…

Loser: Chevy HHR
A bunch of women driving this car are stuck at a stoplight where a throng of shirtless men – many out of shape or old (this was apparently the funny, zany part) – can’t help but turn into dancing squeegee washers? Rudy Giuliani would have rightfully hit them with jaywalking tickets.

I actually thought that commercial was cute. The kids did too, we were all giggling at it, I was under the impression that it was one of the contest winners and thought it was very elaborate and creative. Aw well, I don’t know much, but I do let my kids’ response be an indicator and they were laughing…

Winner: Doritos (The Crash)
Made by an amateur as part of a Doritos contest, it worked on a number of levels – quick story with actual twists and a happy ending, numerous punch lines and an intriguing look. It was far superior to Blockbuster’s use of two animals (always an American favorite) trying to use a real mouse to order movies, even if it won’t be as popular.

I agree both of the Doritos commercials I saw were hilarious actually, the crash and the supermarket checkout. And I thought the Blockbuster one was cute also especially when they realized the mouse wasn’t plugged in. Okay, so I was able to enjoy the commercials through the eyes of my kids and see life from their perspective, so that leaves me disagreeing with this critic.

The article said nothing about the Coca-Cola commercials and I have to say I thought they were outstanding. They delivered a good “positive” message to the younger audience as well. The first one was a take-off of the popular play station game Grand Theft Auto only it showed what life would be like if they were good guys instead. As a mother, I appreciated the message behind the advertisement.

The article also made no mention of the CareerBuilder.com ads, I would guess them to be the biggest spender of the evening, I could be wrong, but it seemed to me like they had the most commercials and they were very creative in my opinion, and they also spent the week leading up to the big game alerting the audience of their upcoming presence in the game.

Well we each have our own opinions of course, that’s what makes this old world so good!

Posted by Lucy.

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