Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 143

November 21, 2021: Suji Sunday!

Incredulous.

Bubble Trouble

Couch potato

Snoozing.

Her “We need to have a talk” look.

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November 20, 2021: Welcome to the weekend!

Don’t know why I bother checking out these much-buzzed shows.  I’m always left depressed, disappointed, and feeling like I’ve wasted hours that would have been better spent surfing reddit for hilarious tweets and memes.  To quote that dude in the bartending course I took in college: “Woof”.

 

Probably not, but we’re also probably not in a material reality either https://t.co/tKu9PLRaff

— Sam McRoberts (@Sams_Antics) November 20, 2021

Both interesting reads.

Today’s Yes/No…

RanchNog? Yes/No
Thanks(?) to @Thogar for the tip.
Why Sip Eggnog This Holiday Season When You Can Sip … RanchNog? https://t.co/jq7ovNRLh6

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 20, 2021

 

Ranch is one of the worst things you can consume in any form so NO.

From the Stargate vault…

Auto Draft

I’m off to attend a digital wedding.  Should I wear a suit?

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November 19, 2021: Cholesterol, Smash Burgers, and a Celebrity Sighting!

Received the results from our annual blood tests the other day and I’m pleased to report that it all looks good.  Blood sugar up a tick, vitamin D levels back to normal levels and, most surprisingly, my formerly high-is cholesterol is down significantly.  How to account for the healthy drop?  Is it the 17 hour fasting window between dinner and lunch?  The light dinners usually compromised of oatmeal, oat milk, fruit and protein powder?  The nightly cardio?  Or maybe it’s all that dark chocolate?  I’m inclined to lean towards the latter.

To celebrate, I dropped by Burger Drops in Liberty Village and sampled their signature Original cheeseburger with griddled onions, American cheese, house pickles, and Drop Sauce on potato roll –

That was one delicious smash burger. I would have gotten two, but I didn’t want to overdo it prior to my physio appointment for my bad shoulder (the Mallozzi’s have notoriously bad shoulders).   Once my appointment was over however….

I stopped again and picked up their other burger offering, the American, with ketchup, fresh diced onions, lettuce, American Cheese, and Drop Sauce served on a potato roll.  I also added jalapeño relish.  Overall, both great burgers but I found the addition of the lettuce made a world of different.  As Akemi put it: “Very refreshing!”

Any other smash burger fans out there?

The highlight of my day was an unexpected star sighting!  Akemi and I were walking downtown when we spotted a celebrity – and one of my very favorite actors Roger Cross – who was kind enough to stop for a photo op…

He was terrific in that Dark Matter spaceship series.  Check it out!

Today’s Yes/No…

Caramelized Sweet Potato Tart Ice Cream? Yes/No
Häagen-Dazs Japan’s new caramelized sweet potato tart ice cream hits convenience stores shelvesIce cream maker rolls out a perfect, leveled-up mitsuimo treat for this autumn season. https://t.co/xdRxXZqZbT via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 19, 2021

Trick question.  Of course it’s a Yes.

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November 18, 2021: Chef Mei Lin Dinner at Lee Restaurant!

One of our last big trips prior to the season premiere of Covid was a week-long stay in Los Angeles that had me going to meetings while Akemi walked the empty streets of West Hollywood (devoid of all foot traffic outside of the occasional aggressive street person).  We checked out a number of great restaurants during that visit, but one of our very favorites was Nightshade under the culinary direction of James Beard nominee Chef Mei Lin (winner of Top Chef season 12).  So when we heard that Chef Lin would be taking over the kitchen at local Lee Restaurant for two nights, we immediately booked a table.  Then last night, we sat down for our first set menu special event in…oh…two years?

Dinner…

Oyster & Yuzu Ginger Mignonette – I prefer my oysters au naturel but the yuzu-ginger was a nice, subtle compliment here.  I haven’t had a kusshi oyster since the last time we were in Vancouver (back in 2016?).

Choux a la Char Siu Pork – Wow.  These little pastries packed an unexpected punch of flavor, redolent with the distinct aroma of the dim sum staple.

A pleasant surprise – as was the almost half dozen different pronunciations of “char sui” on the night.

Foie Gras & Truffle Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wings with Kaluga Caviar – Akemi likes neither foie gras nor truffle so, when she saw this on the menu, she assumed she’d only try a bite (while I assumed I’d be happily polishing off the rest).  But just like the oyster mignonette, the ingredients of the dish complimented rather than overpowered the star.  Sadly, Akemi ate her entire wing.  The accompaniment of the Kaluga caviar (a sustainable alternate to Beluga) may seem like an odd pairing, but it goes surprisingly well with fried chicken.  In fact, the fried chicken and caviar combo is a feature item on the Momofuku menu.

Savory Donut and Whipped Cream Curry Tofu – Possibly the greatest tofu dish I’ve ever eaten, it had the consistency of soft cheese (perfect for dipping!) with a nice, underlying herbaceousness from the kaffir limes.

Roasted Carrot & Pea Wontons “French Onion Broth” – The wontons were great but the broth was the real star here, gloriously intense in flavor which, our guest, Dr. Blackjack, likened to an haute-style Tokyo shoyu ramen.

Crispy Octopus, Charred Garlic Chive Labne, Black Garlic Potatoes – This was actually my second octopus main in as many nights, but this was the superior version – sweet, sour, salty, and savory.

Rose Lychee Sorbet, Raspberry, Caramelized with Chocolat Ganache – I’m not a huge fan of fruit and/or tart desserts, so I assumed I’d be having a bite and leaving the rest to Akemi who assumed she’d be having TWO desserts on the night.  As it turned out, both of us assumed incorrectly. As I said, I’m usually not a fruit (or floral) dessert guy, but the rose-raspberry flavor profile reminded me of the Ispahan desserts that were all the rage in Japan on our last trip.  Also, it was a beautifully executed dish.

Akemi declared this dessert the best thing she’s eaten all year.  She talked about it so much today that I offered to book a table for the second and final night of Chef Lin’s Toronto tour.  She ultimately said no.  But she was tempted!

Chef Lin stopped by the table at the end of our meal and mentioned she’s opened a Szechuan fried chicken restaurant in L.A.!

LA’s hottest fried chicken sandwich honors Chef Mei Lin’s Chinese roots

Looking forward to checking this out – and return visit to Nightshade – on our next trip to L.A.!

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November 17, 2021: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Kang the Conqueror #4 – cover art by Michael Del Mundo

The Amazing Spider-Man #78 – cover art by Leinel Francis You

House of Slaughter #1 – cover art by Jae Lee, June Chung

Batman: Secret Files – The Gardener #1 – cover art by Ejikure

Refrigerator Full of Heads #2 – cover art by Sam Wolfe Connelly

Dark Red: Year One – cover art by Aaron Campbell

X-O Manowar #8 – cover art by Rahzzah

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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November 16, 2021: I may have to take a nap between the main course and dessert!

Does the fact that you made an emotional investment in something you spent time and money supporting give you the right to criticize it?
Yes. Yes it does.

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 16, 2021

Suji was feeling under the weather this morning.  A simple change in her breathing was enough to wake me up at 5:05 a.m.  Not sure what it was that upset her stomach (I mean, take your pick.  She’s a very experimental eater, like her dad.) but after a quick vomit, she was ready for early breakfast.  And, after eating, she went right back to sleep like nothing happened.  I, on the other hand, take forever to fall asleep – and fall back asleep – so it was an early start on the day for me!  It’s amazing how much you can get done when you wake up at an ungodly hour.

The day the CEO's six year old son strolled into my office and gleefully informed me that his dad could fire me. https://t.co/CX3pNwmJVD

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 16, 2021

Hmmmm….

Here's an idea…
Could wormholes be used for future space travel? A new study explains https://t.co/EOt5jezvUE

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 16, 2021

P.S. Did you tell Amazon you want a new in-canon Stargate series yet?  You really should.  I’m sure they’d love to hear from you.

Gearing up for a rare dine-out tonight with some friends.  Things are finally getting back to normal…

Until the next wave and lockdown.

Today’s Yes/No…

Cheetos Boneless Wings and Cheese Bites? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/1UDJQqYYjL

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 16, 2021

 

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November 15, 2021: Catching up!

Save the environment by switching out Lagavulin and Laphroaig for Glengoyne and a pack of Pall Malls. https://t.co/LdxlgQHAhy

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 15, 2021

 

Un hunh.
"Lufthansa is considering everything from marking seats green to creating digital badges that can be shown on a phone."
Would you pay to show off your green credentials? Lufthansa thinks you will. https://t.co/rJG5wsuXqp via @business

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 14, 2021

“Excuse me, sir.  I’m not sure if you noticed, but I’m sitting in the green section.”

“Sir.  Sir!  Would you like to see my digital honor badge?!”

Do NOT send me messages on Facebook. I'm as likely to see them as you are to see me at your local vegan diner. I visit the site rarely and only to check on the status of some of my elderly relatives.

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 13, 2021

Today’s Yes/No…

Numb & Spicy Hot Pot Chips? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/4AsLZEa6jA

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 15, 2021

Use of the word “numbing” is not a translation error.  Szechuan peppercorns are not only spicy but actually numb your tongue.  Similar to Japanese sansho.

From the Stargate vault- some beautiful artwork courtesy of Production Designer James Robbins for Abyss:

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November 14, 2021: Suji Sunday!

Wonder Pug!

Stealing mom’s seat.

Something does NOT taste good.

Morning yawn.

Savoring strawberries…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hi. I'm Sujiすじ子 (@newoldpugsuji)

The post November 14, 2021: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Top 10 K-Pop Tracks of October, 2021

Top 10 #KPOP Tracks of September, 2021#KpopTop10
9. #PublicEnemy – #Do_Han_Se #도한세
And Victon's Do Han Se with this track off his debut album, Blaze. pic.twitter.com/UMi1O6lmTf

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 13, 2021

Top 10 #KPOP Tracks of September, 2021#KpopTop10
7. #Go_or_Stop – #SUNMI #선미
Basically an ad for League of Legends. But a solid bop. pic.twitter.com/AqqXYT45sI

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 13, 2021

Top 10 #KPOP Tracks of September, 2021#KpopTop10
5. #Scientist – #TWICE #트와이스
My favorite TWICE track since 2018's Dance the Night Away. pic.twitter.com/FDtLuK3lDB

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 13, 2021

Top 10 #KPOP Tracks of September, 2021#KpopTop10
3. #HUH – #MBT #허성현
Every week, there's at least one surprise track, a song that comes out of nowhere to vault into my top 10. And, in October, this was it. pic.twitter.com/m01i99Rdym

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 13, 2021

Top 10 #KPOP Tracks of September, 2021#KpopTop10
1. #BugAboo – #BugAboo
In the end, I grant the #1 spot to the October release I've listened to the most – and that's this debut single. pic.twitter.com/lsH9Snuw4q

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 13, 2021

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November 12, 2021: Friday? Already?!

Not a super productive day on the writing front.  Ended up completing all of a single one-liner for Northern Gothic.  Although, truthfully, it’s no surprise given how much of a struggle it is to distill a series down a single logline.  This weekend, I’m going to try to focus on the rest of the series overview, the rewrite of another pitch, and maybe a deep dive into gaming stocks.  $ATVI, $CRSR, $EA.  $NTES, $RBLX, $TTWO.  What do you all like?

I an willing to adopt!
Rare ‘cotton candy lobster’ seeks home after rescue by Maine fisherman https://t.co/0vhAjLXEzV

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 12, 2021

On a wholly unrelated note…

Chicken Fillet and Menchi Katsu Sandwich? Yes/No
KFC adds a Katsu and Fillet Burger to its menu in Japan for a limited time https://t.co/4FxTLTNjw3 via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) November 12, 2021

From the Stargate vault…

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