A new toy...

The Boston streets are quite crazy as most people know. One-way roads and detours that lead nowhere are more common than irritantingly drunk Red Sox fans who feel the need to remind me of the 2004 fiasco. Therefore, I've decide to fight back. Not with no Mapquest array or an Frommer's atlas. I purchased a portable GPS unit: the Garmin C320. This badass has a 3.5" screen and a 5-hr lithium battery. It's in full color that doubles as a touchscreen. Since it's built for the car, it comes with a windshield apparatus via a suction cup. The voice has an English accent and is plenty loud. We used it this past weekend for a trip to NJ/NY and outside of one missed turn, it hit our destinations just right. I got a used one for $265 on the eBay but new ones can be had for just over $300. The C320 comes with a 128MB SD card which fits a chunk of states, but I threw in an extra 256MB card, which hooked up most of the NE plus SoCal for my upcoming trip.

Pros: Easy to use, easy to hear, specific directions

Cons: It'd be nice if the screen was a bit larger, why can't the chick talk to me by name? Or speak dirty words into my ear....

A strange advertisement...

I was at Star Market (the local supermahket) and saw an interesting display as I walked in. It was for Vitamin Water and compared its "statistics" to those of OJ. Actually, it wasn't really interesting as much as it was creepy. The benefits of vitamin water were its low calories, lack of sugar, yet still had the full day of vitamin C. Ummm...yeah, artificial sweetener is way better than Tropicana's finest. Nah, I'll pass guys.

Another funky ad I saw recently is for the upcoming film Waist Deep. The film actually looks half decent. I was impressed with Tyrese in 2 Fast 2 Furious and Larenz Tate is always solid. The reason I started choking when I saw the ad was that "The Game" was also a member of the ensemble. OK, look...dude, you can't rap and I could care less how many times you've been shot. If your acting skillz are anywhere near that of your lover Fiddy, I'll be sure to rent the film when it enters my Blockbuster queue and fast-forward through your nausea-inducing scenes of nonsensical "acting". So, stick with your attempts as an MC and save the movie career for those rappers who can actually act (i.e., Ice T, Ice cube, Luda, etc.)

I love me some good eats

Two good restaurants have crossed my dangerous path in the past week or so. So how about we get onto some discussing them

1) Ole Mexican Grill - There is only one reason to go this out-of-the-way joint in out-of-the-way Inman square. say it with me kids: GUAC-A-MO-LE. It is friggin awesome. And I don't normally like it. But my gf and I watched as they made it for us, right at the table. Then we chowed down into two baskets of chips and this phenomenal conconction. Oh yeah, we did have dinner which was decent but overpriced. Also, gf asked if there would be dark meat in her enchiladas - the waitress said no, the enchiladas said yes. So, after work someday or a Saturday afternoon; go here and eat guacamole. And then head around the corner to La Casa Portgual for your real dinner.

2) Giacomo's (South end branch) - I hit this place up with a fellow 'omie and his 'rents. More or less a replica of the famous North End joint, except this one is a little nicer, there's no menu on the wall, and they take reservations. They also serve dessert. The eats were tasty, including the Caesar Salad, Frutti Di Mar with Diavlo sauce, and lemon sorbet. But something about eating Italian food in the South end - it was a bit weird. If you're in the area, go for it. But as a destination place, hit up the North End version.

I need some practice

I really need to be more diligent with this whole blogging nonsense. I've got things to say and my hundreds - no wait - thousands of potential readers are pining for my next discussion point. So, let's begin.

A) Let's discuss the fuckers next door. Yes, Sweet Child O Mine is a great song. Yes, it has one of the best chords ever. But, gentlemen, there's no reason why the volume needs to be at 11 when it is 4am. I don't care how drunk you are or how bad your voices attempt to mimic Axl. Give it a rest. The cops will be called. And Cambridge po-po are notorious for nightsticking bad singers...

B) Review of Munich. I actually never read a synopsis of this film and thought it was gonna simply be about the assassinations of the Israelis at the '72 Olympics. Instead, that process begins the film, and the whole plot revolves around a crack-team of 6 dudes (led by Eric Bana) to kill the 11 Palestinians who devised the plan. Overall, it was quite entertaining for its 163 minutes. The killings are all pretty unique - although they don't totally review all 6 dudes' specialties and they give them stronger personalities by the end which don't really vibe with their initial, seemingly boring, personas. Plus, its Spielberg so there are quite a few, "Look how smart I am" moments which kinda ruin the thriller/action film. I would have been interesting to see what another more action-oriented director could have done with it. No, not Michael Bay :)

C) Review of new Ice Cube. Kickass beats and (of course) dope rhymes. He's still got game. Go get it.

D) Review of DJ Quik: Live at House of Blues. This was a neat idea as his production work has always warranted a live band. However, the morons who recorded it didn't engage the band as much as they should have , so some of the backgrounds instruments' volumes are too low. Plus, they magically screwed up "Pitch in on a Party." But, if you dig Quik, its worth at least a listen.