Little did we know that our review of Four Loko would be echoed so harshly in the news, as word of its banishment is now on the tips of every media anchor’s tongue. This week, college students in Washington danced carelessly along the banks of the River Styx, abusing this “loko” toxin; some foolishly spiking it further with additional hooch.
What tickled my dark sense of humor was that the police arriving on the scene at first believed that multiple drug-induced date rapes were in effect, when the students were all consensually getting crunked and fucked. (Okay, so that last bit didn’t rhyme as well as I’d hoped.)
While I will forever frown upon Phusion Projects for what now cannot be uninvented, I do somewhat sympathize with their response. Four Loko can be an interesting recreational experience, if consumed responsibly… These students did not act as such. They were underage and gambled in excess. They were lucky to survive and I pray this serves as a lesson to them and anyone else tempted to experiment with these 23oz chambers of horror.
God of War III and Bayonetta are the closest I’ve ever come to considering video games as actual erotica. Not because of their obvious sexual themes, but because their simple modes of gameplay enveloped in lusciously rendered cinematic eye candy. They may have their flaws and lack much depth, but these titles serve up satisfying portions of escapism, like a well-prepared filet mignon.
Trolling RUINS Lives, Y’all.
Not even Seth Green can convince me to eat Butterfinger.
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
If you happen to be in Japan this November, the Force will be with you.
Kotobukiya, a company that specializes in producing and importing high-quality statues, has crafted a set of chopsticks in the form of lightsabers. Ramen-hungry nerds will have their choice of three from the set: Darth Vader (red), Luke Skywalker (blue), and Yoda (green). Fans like myself hold high hopes for the possibility of a purple Mace Windu set.
Unlike the versions seen above, the blades will actually be translucent in the final product, to best reflect their Jedi inspirations.
Each set is the standard 20-23cm chopstick length and will run for approximately $10 per pair. The chopsticks will be released in late November in Japan, though you’ll most likely be able to get your hands on a set through your favorite online importer.
The holiday season has always been a favorite time of year for Animal rights group, PETA, as America consumes meat en masse from Thanksgiving through to the new year (assuming you have Christmas leftovers).
One of their campaigns against an otherwise joyful season this year has been the release of a spoof on a beloved Nintendo DS game series, Cooking Mama. In their version, Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals, you work along side a bloodthirsty, knife-wielding Mama as you prepare the holiday feast. But it’s not as simple as sticking a Butterball into the oven; you’re guided through the entire process of how the poor, weeping turkey is brutally tortured, mutilated, murdered…all but raped (though I haven’t played very far into the game) before being cooked and devoured.
PETA has made the game free to embed, which I’ used to have here, but the lack of a mute button got incredibly annoying. You can also download the game (for PC and Mac), which I highly recommend grabbing up before somebody done gets sued!
Over in Akihabara, you’ll find one of many interesting events promoting the upcoming Gurren Lagann movie. There’s plenty to hype about since it’s one of the most awesome anime shows to come out of Japan in a long while. From August 22 thru November 15, the Cure Maid Cafe will be running a special Gurren Lagann Cafe menu and decor.
The dishes that have been designed for the event look absolutely delicious. Pictured above is the “Gurren Plate”. What I find most amusing is the use of Bugles snacks, which represent the drill theme that binds the show together.
Akibabana’s Cherry gives us a tour and a taste test:
Throughout the cafe, they’ve covered the walls with Gurren Lagann artifacts supplied by Gainax. While you dine, you can feast your eyes on storyboards, character model sheets, and other production materials.
The Gurren Lagann movie is due out in Japan September 6th, with a special exhibition to be held at the Tokyo Anime Center during the same week.
I know I promised to do this for Monday, but better late than never.
I went to the NC State Fair again on Sunday, this time with Ashley in our usual anniversary tradition. Ashley arrived at my place a lot earlier than I’d expected, which was nice because it gave us a full day of fun. First, we exchanged our gifts; I got Ashley a cute Halloween decoration of a metal witch cat on a pendulum, with hands that wobbled as it swung. Ashley got me some bat boxers and a winter coat, of which I’ve been in need of for years! After some snuggle time, we were off to adventure!
Our admission was covered–I’d received free tickets from my boss at work as reward for completing my first big web development project. Since I’d been to the fair a few days before, I was Mr. Navigator for finding just about anything. The first thing I grabbed was another ear of roast corn (that stuff is good!) and Ashley got a bloomin’ onion. Good appetizers to prime us for the feast to come…
I next set my sights on some fried cookie dough, but the booth that I thought had it didn’t! It was the same booth that sold the fried peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, so Ashley dug into one of those while we were there. This time, they had the sense to use the tongue-depressor type of sticks instead of the thin spears. It held the sandwich a bit better, but still not quite.
Somewhat defeated, I moved on to my next mission: a giant turkey leg. However, those things are so big, that Ashley and I have to split one. So I waited until she had a craving for one. Heh, but once she get her hands on the frozen cheesecake on a stick, I knew it was all over. As much as she loves it, cheesecake always defeats Ashley; it’s so cute. With Ashley now stuffed, I decided to go ahead and get a turkey leg for myself. I did as much damage on my own as I could, but I barely got through 2/3 of it. Then I became stuffed and needed a break. I think that unless Ashley really wants to share one, I might pass on one next year.
We walked around, catching the attractions. Of course, we hit the craft areas and the bunny barn. Ashley bought a viking troll. Later in the day, we watched a pig race. Ashley bought some fudge to take home. I felt dehydrated, so I snagged a snow cone and a couple bottles of water. Later, I managed to find room for a BBQ sandwich.
We got in contact with one of Ashley’s friends that she hasn’t seen in ages. We hung out together for a little while, though I know Ashley wishes she could have seen more of her. While we were all walking around, I thought I’d try some “chicken on a stick” (which is just a very long chicken finger…on a stick), but they were charging $7 for it, and that’s nonsense! I don’t think that anything else caught my fancy on our way out, so shortly after Ashley’s friend parted from us, we set a course for home.
I wasn’t expecting to be there as long as we were. I thought we’d be 2-3 hours…and we were there for over 5 hours! As a result, my face and neck are all pink from sunburn. It’s kinda thrown my body out of whack in that my body wants me to sleep and rest, no matter how lucid my brain is. Not only that, since my body is in regeneration mode, I’m hungry all the time. I get the same way when I’m recovering from being ill. So with that and all the junk food I’ve already eaten from my trips to the fair, I gotta watch myself so that I don’t balloon up! Between now and Thanksgiving, I’ll have to cut back what I eat normally and hit the gym more often than usual.
Last night I took my sister to the NC State Fair. It’s my first of two trips this year, since Ashley and I are going for our anniversary this weekend. Lots and lots of deep fried goodness! Every year, they feature some new fried abomination confection to unleash upon the public. Last year’s was fried Coca-Cola, which is just funnel cake, fried with cola instead of water. This year, they had fried peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. And ya know…it tastes a lot better than it sounds!
The only trick is that while it passes for flavor, it fails in form. They serve it on a stick, which–as I learned from the fried Moon Pie–anything that has a soft, gooey center can’t be held on a stick. I tried to pick the sandwich up and all I got was stick. It’s small enough that all you really need is some napkins to hold it. But it was sooooo good. I’m sure if you baked it, people would be much more receptive to it.
Also along the lines of tasty fried peanut buttery treats, they added another type of deep fried candy bar to their selection as well. This year: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Those also taste delicious, but they’re a bit expensive for my tastes. I don’t mind paying $3 for a fried Milky Way on a stick, but for the same price, you only get two Reese’s. I realize that’s what comes in a standard pack, but even so… Maybe if it were three, I’d feel more satisfied.
I did have some quasi-healthier choices as well. I started the whole event off by getting some vegetable tempura. I like to get some of that every year, but since I usually got it later in the day, I’d be too stuffed to finish the insane mountain they bestow upon you. This year, I got it first thing, so I did some major damage! Also, I grabbed up an ear of roasted corn. Not only because it’s delicious, but also so I could freak out my sister by quoting, “Gentlemen…“
