Adult Coloring Books

A few weeks ago I was at a friends house in Philadelphia and noticed they had a stack of coloring books with intricate designs. I thought they were cute, but didn't realize that adult coloring books were actually super hot right now. They are being touted as a great way to unwind and de-stress and  are some of the most popular and best selling items on Amazon right now. I personally loved coloring and creating art as a child, but am not sure how coloring in the lines of intricate designs can help you come down after a stressful day. I feel like For those willing to give it a try, here are a few books worth buying (thanks Buzzfeed!).

Follow Up on Some Follow Up: Podcasts

A long time ago, I posted about some podcasts that I listen to, one of which was WTF Podcast hosted by Marc Maron. A few months later, I did a follow up post about this same podcast having one of its episodes listed by Slate as the #1 best podcast ever (just happens to be the same episode I recommend in my original post). Now, I update on the update to inform you just how far much weight a recommendation on this blog can take someone, even a washed up ex-druggie struggling stand up comic: Today's WTF Podcast (June 22, 2015) has Marc Maron interviewing the President of the United States, Barack Obama, in his garage. Amongst other things, Marc and POTUS discuss racism in America. If you've read both of my previous recommendations to check this podcast out and passed both times, hopefully this might get you listening. If not, maybe he'll interview a Kardashian soon...

Talking to the President in my garage

A photo posted by @marcmaron on Jun 19, 2015 at 6:25pm PDT

I would also like to take this opportunity to recommend a new podcast I've been enjoying very much: Mystery Show, hosted by Starlee Kine.

In the post-Serial world, we are all searching for something to fill the gap left by the still-burning questions of Adnan Syed's innocence and Sarah Koenig's personal opinion about that matter. In searching for such filler, I stumbled on Mystery Show, which is actually nothing like Serial at all, and may even be better, in my opinion. The podcast is a light-hearted exploration of the human existence in the form of solving various mysteries involving otherwise boring minutiae of daily life. Adorable and disarming host Kine begins each episode by introducing a mystery, usually brought to her by a friend of acquaintance, which she then sets out to solve. The mysteries themselves are nowhere near as heavy as did a high school kid murder his ex-girlfriend and dump her body in the woods. The series' first mystery: What happened to a video store that mysteriously vanished from NYC back in 2003? Another fun one: What was Brittany Spears doing with an author and friend of the hosts book at a restaurant, and did she like the book? Often times the answer to the mysteries are second place to the interesting tangents and conversations she has with whatever interesting people she meets along the way. Like WTF Podcast, Mystery Show comes highly recommended by yours truly.

City Climb

Last week, I participated in a Groupon for an hour of indoor climbing at City Climb.

I'd never done indoor climbing before, so I didn't know what to expect. However, I've always been a hyperactive type; the one who is always climbing things, jumping over/off things, and getting dirty, so I was very excited.

Walls for days. There is also a whole other room for "bouldering," which looks pretty badass.

Our special was for an hour of belayed climbing, led/belayed by one of the gym's very friendly and encouraging staff, whose name escapes me (Andrew?). We got some nifty shoes and harnesses to wear, and geared up.

Actually comfier than they look.

"Andrew" roped us up, and started us out on some easier climbs to start. Probably the best thing about it was that each wall has a little bell dangling at the top that you can ring upon completion; I finally filled the void in my life left by never having been able to compete on Global Guts.

Me working on a pink route. No I did not use the ladder.

K-Dawg gets it done.

Then we took on more challenging terrain.

JoDa (nee JoPo) and unborn child slayed it all night.

All of the hand/foot holds were flagged with colored tape, marking out routes up all the walls. "Andrew" explained that routes are rated from 5.0 to 5.15 (no it's not a decimal; I asked) in terms of increasing difficulty. The hardest route I finished was a 5.8, it involved traversing a doorway, climbing around a corner and up a crack in the wall. Let me tell you, the struggle is real. Some of the hand holds were more or less ladder rungs:

I could climb these knobby suckers for life.

But some of them were laughable for the likes of me, they may as well have been wall:

What I'ma do wit this?

A few months ago a friend had asked if I had any interest in joining City Climb as a member, and I laughed him off. Now, though, I think I've changed my tune. Although potentially a pricey hobby (new shoes alone run at least $80), it's a great workout that I found trying both physically and mentally. Anyone want to go with me?

Stony Creek Brewery

Last week, Stony Creek Brewery opened its new facility in Branford, just a couple exits up the road from #NHV. With craft beer so hot the past few years, it's fun to see so many of the smaller breweries able to offer experiences like this; a nice, clean bar with freshly-rotated beers on tap, where you can spend an afternoon with friends drinking and chowing down on whatever snacks you want to bring.

Stony Creek's new spot is especially well-situated on the water in Branford and, when 100% completed, will have a nice deck to sit out on and watch the boats drift by while you down a few oat sodas. While that part of is still completing construction, the inside bar is up and running, and I've found myself there two Saturdays in a row.

Day 1 was packed, but still plenty of places to sit and enjoy the beer/view.

In addition to pints of changing beers, the bar also sells "Crowlers," or canned growlers. I've never seen these 32oz. fresh poured canned beers to go before, and I was very intrigued.

It all starts with a blank, topless can, which they fill at the tap upon request.

That's 2 16oz pints right there.

Then they pop a top on and put it in this contraption to seal it up.

Last, they roll on a label for you.

Voila, beer to go, fresh from the pint.

The Crowler costs $8, and contains 32oz (2 16oz beers).

Porter21

 

The internet continues to amaze me every day. As I scrolled around online and on Facebook, I came across Porter21, which in short, will deliver alcohol to your house. That's right, you don't have to make the trek to the liquor store (let's face it, in New Haven the only good liquor store is The Wine Thief anyway), because all you have to do is pick out your booze and beer online and they will deliver it in 60 minutes or less. Amazing!!!!To top it off they have a great beer selection including craft beers and my personal favorite, Coors Light. Everything is decently priced and there is no extra costs or fees. Basically your summer party just got awesome. You're welcome.

Middletown

Now that my favorite bar/restaurant is gone (RIP Delaney's), I have to head all the way to Middletown, CT to visit my second favorite bar, Eli Cannon's. Eli Cannon's has a great selection of beer, cheap and tasty food, and a funky atmosphere that can't be beat. At it's core it's just a dive bar, but something about it makes you like you're in the know to even be there. A few favorite menu items include the soft pretzel with three dipping sauces, the BLT, and any of the wing flavors.

As Middletown is about a twenty minute trek from New Haven, it's exciting that Eli Cannon's isn't the only thing worth going there for anymore. After lunch, head across the street to NoRa cupcakes where you can sample amazing flavors like 50 Shades of Chocolate, Fat Elvis, and Fluffernutter. They have ample cafe space to kick up your feet and eat a few cupcakes before you head down the street to Middletown's newest craft brewery, Stubborn Beauty.

The brewery is dedicated to brewing unique, full flavored beers. They aren't into "cookie cutter" beers and are known for their eclectic style. Grab a few tastings and a growler fill before you make the drive back to New Haven.

Here's What to Make for Breakfast, or, An Ode to My Avocado Slicer

In case you hadn't heard, avocado toast is so hot right now, and in case you didn't notice, this blog is on the cutting edge of what's hot, nay, we are Tastemakers.

Yes, Jacobim.

For a while now, I've been starting off my mornings right with my own avocado toast creation, which I will share with you now. It's simple, easy, delicious, and probably not all that healthy. It starts where all good things start; with frying up some bacon on medium-high heat:

Another good recipe would be to just stop right here.

While that's going on, with the scintillating aroma creeping up into my senses, I toast a couple pieces of bread, grab the closest avocado, and my handy avocado slicer. If you don't have one of these, I highly suggest getting it. I'm too lazy to research it right now, but I'm pretty sure we got this off Amazon for like $5. It's got a cutter:

A corer:

And a slicer:

I slide out half the avocado, and package up the rest with a coating of lime juice for use tomorrow morning. I add a dash of lime juice, salt, and pepper to the sliced half, and I mash it up real good:

When the bacon's done, it'll be reduced in size, nice and crispy, but not too browned. Otherwise when I crunch into it I'll just have a mouthful of shards. I take it out of the pan and set aside:

I dump out all the rendered bacon fat except enough to coat the pan, leaving all the little charred bits of bacon in there. Then, I lower the heat to medium, and crack two eggs into the bacon fat, topping it with some salt and pepper:

For a perfectly runny egg, I let them fry on one side for a minute, or so, until the egg white is almost cooked all the way through, as shown, then I flip:

I let the other side cook for about 30 seconds. DON'T OVER COOK YOUR EGGS OR YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER WILL COMPLAIN ABOUT IT!


While the eggs cook, I prep the landing pad, first spreading the mashed avocado evenly over the toasts:

Then plopping down the bacon:

Right about now, my eggs should be nearing completion, so I go ahead and gently spatula those babies right on top of the bacon, and serve. I like mine with a bunch of Cholula:

I break open that runny goodness and let it run all over my bacon-avocado-toasty dreams:

You're welcome.