Slumdog Millionaire Wins Big With Me (A Review)

Until one week ago, I hadn’t really paid attention to the chatter about Slumdog Millionaire.  I remember seeing the title around the internet, but it just didn’t stand out to me. That all changed during the Golden Globes ceremony last Sunday night.  Slumdog Millionaire seemed to sweep all of the categories for which it was nominated, including best picture. It was only then, that the film finally got my attention.

I did a little research first, namely checking out reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and blogs. I also utilized Twitter Search. It was apparent that Slumdog Millionaire had become wildly popular, and had received a tremendous amount of positive word-of-mouth. I suddenly decided that I just HAD to see this movie! Admittedly, my expectations were so high, that I was almost certain I would be disappointed. Alas, this was not the case.

The only theater showing Slumdog Millionaire in Springfield is the Moxie Cinema. The Moxie is the only theater in town that exclusively plays independent films. To my surprise, the movie was nearly sold out when I visited on a Sunday afternoon. Most of the prior viewings of Slumdog had been sell-outs, and new shows had to be added to the schedule.

Slumdog Millionaire centers around the character of Jamal, a streetwise, but tender-hearted orphan who grows up in the slums of Mumbai, India. Together with his older brother, Salim, Jamal faces considerable hardships, violence, disappointments, betrayals, and loss at a very young age. However, he also develops a strong capacity to love, as is shown in his relationship with Latika. Like Jamal and Salim, Latika is orphaned, and faces similar circumstances.

Amazingly, as a young adult, Jamal ends up on India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, where he basically sweeps the questions.  Prior to the final, million-dollar question, Jamal is arrested on suspicion of cheating.  To the police inspector, and others, it seems highly unlikely that an orphaned, uneducated, street-kid could answer all of the questions. As Jamal is cruelly interrogated, he begins to recount his life in the streets. For each question on the show, Jamal tells of a past experience which had prepared him for that particular question.  One question remains, however. How and why did Jamal end up on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, if money isn’t important to him?

Finally, Jamal is able to convince the police inspector of his innocence. He is then free to attempt the final, million-dollar question. Will he get it right? Does he really even care about the one million dollars? Or is there an entirely different motivation?

I loved Slumdog Millionaire on so many levels. The cinematography is breathtaking and visually stunning, and complimented by a fantastic soundtrack.  Though the character of Jamal is at the center of the story, the acting is really more of an ensemble effort.  Each character contributes equally to the story, and each actor rises to the occasion, without overshadowing the others.

Based on the best-selling novel, Q&A, by Vikas Swarup,  Slumdog Millionaire has something for everyone: action, drama, romance, suspense, some violence. Jamal, Salim, and Latika endure more than their fair share of heartbreak, disappointment, and betrayal. Yet, you can expect a tremendously satisfying ending.  Slumdog Millionaire is most definitely Oscar-worthy!

Check out this Wikipedia article for a list of the awards and nominations that Slumdog Millionaire has garnered so far.

Slumdog Millionaire Wins Big With Me (A Review)

Until one week ago, I hadn’t really paid attention to the chatter about Slumdog Millionaire.  I remember seeing the title around the internet, but it just didn’t stand out to me. That all changed during the Golden Globes ceremony last Sunday night.  Slumdog Millionaire seemed to sweep all of the categories for which it was nominated, including best picture. It was only then, that the film finally got my attention.

I did a little research first, namely checking out reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and blogs. I also utilized Twitter Search. It was apparent that Slumdog Millionaire had become wildly popular, and had received a tremendous amount of positive word-of-mouth. I suddenly decided that I just HAD to see this movie! Admittedly, my expectations were so high, that I was almost certain I would be disappointed. Alas, this was not the case.

The only theater showing Slumdog Millionaire in Springfield is the Moxie Cinema. The Moxie is the only theater in town that exclusively plays independent films. To my surprise, the movie was nearly sold out when I visited on a Sunday afternoon. Most of the prior viewings of Slumdog had been sell-outs, and new shows had to be added to the schedule.

Slumdog Millionaire centers around the character of Jamal, a streetwise, but tender-hearted orphan who grows up in the slums of Mumbai, India. Together with his older brother, Salim, Jamal faces considerable hardships, violence, disappointments, betrayals, and loss at a very young age. However, he also develops a strong capacity to love, as is shown in his relationship with Latika. Like Jamal and Salim, Latika is orphaned, and faces similar circumstances.

Amazingly, as a young adult, Jamal ends up on India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, where he basically sweeps the questions.  Prior to the final, million-dollar question, Jamal is arrested on suspicion of cheating.  To the police inspector, and others, it seems highly unlikely that an orphaned, uneducated, street-kid could answer all of the questions. As Jamal is cruelly interrogated, he begins to recount his life in the streets. For each question on the show, Jamal tells of a past experience which had prepared him for that particular question.  One question remains, however. How and why did Jamal end up on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, if money isn’t important to him?

Finally, Jamal is able to convince the police inspector of his innocence. He is then free to attempt the final, million-dollar question. Will he get it right? Does he really even care about the one million dollars? Or is there an entirely different motivation?

I loved Slumdog Millionaire on so many levels. The cinematography is breathtaking and visually stunning, and complimented by a fantastic soundtrack.  Though the character of Jamal is at the center of the story, the acting is really more of an ensemble effort.  Each character contributes equally to the story, and each actor rises to the occasion, without overshadowing the others.

Based on the best-selling novel, Q&A, by Vikas Swarup,  Slumdog Millionaire has something for everyone: action, drama, romance, suspense, some violence. Jamal, Salim, and Latika endure more than their fair share of heartbreak, disappointment, and betrayal. Yet, you can expect a tremendously satisfying ending.  Slumdog Millionaire is most definitely Oscar-worthy!

Check out this Wikipedia article for a list of the awards and nominations that Slumdog Millionaire has garnered so far.

The Buzz: Springfield’s Newest Coffee House & Internet Cafe

Last weekend, I began to head home after meeting my family for lunch at Old Chicago. As, I was driving down Republic Road, something caught my eye. I noticed a new sign with the words “the Buzz.” I am always scoping the area for new restaurants and coffee houses to check out. I wanted to see just what-in-the-world, the Buzz was, so I quickly turned around.

To my delight, I discovered that the Buzz is the newest coffee house in town. Having opened in December, the Buzz offers a special brew of coffee that is brought in from Kansas City. Honestly, I am not a huge coffee drinker. What I found most appealing, was the food, namely the homemade sopapillas and Navajo Tacos. I grew up in South Dakota, where Navajo or Indian tacos were fairly common. I have been searching for years for a place in the Springfield area that serves these tacos. For those not in the know, Navajo Tacos are similar to a taco. However, instead of a taco shell, they are served on fry bread, or a sopapilla. The Navajo tacos at the Buzz are wonderful! I especially like the fact that their sopapillas are homemade. No premade, frozen bread dough here.

Though the menu isn’t large, all of the items sound unique, interesting, and tasty. Additionally, they serve some items that change daily. Today, they had mushroom brie soup. I would loved to have tried that, but I already had my heart set on the Navajo taco. I visited the Buzz with my mother, who is a vegetarian. Though, most all of the items had meat, they were very accommodating in preparing something for her.

The decor is understated and tasteful, with several tables of various sizes. In addition, they have a section with a comfy couch and chairs. Of course, they do have free wireless internet access. The only difference between the Buzz, and other area coffee houses are the hours. They are open only during the daytime, from 7am to 3pm. Perhaps, as business grows, their hours will grow too!

The Buzz is located on Republic Road, just west of Fremont Avenue in Springfield, Missouri. It is in the same shopping center as Movie Gallery. Be sure to check out Springfield’s newest coffee house and internet cafe to see what the Buzz is all about!

Gran Torino: A Review

Last weekend, I was able to enjoy an afternoon showing of Gran Torino with my dad, who is a big Clint Eastwood fan. While I have enjoyed some of Eastwood’s movies over the years, I always pictured the actor as a shoot-em up type. It wasn’t until recently, that I realized that just how talented an actor he really is. His work in Million Dollar Baby, opposite Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman, nearly blew me away. He was that good.

He is no different this time around. Gran Torino is Clint Eastwood’s latest film. Here he portrays Walt Kowalksi, a hardened Korean-war veteran, who has just lost his beloved wife. Walt is abrasive, strong-willed, and foul-mouthed. We soon discover that underneath his rough and gruff exterior, lies a big heart. However, he cannot seem to bond with his two grown sons or grandchildren. I really felt that his sons did care for him, in a misguided sort-of-way. His grandchildren, however, came across as terribly selfish & greedy, and totally uncaring. The only thing his nasty granddaughter wants, is Walt’s beloved 1970 Gran Torino.

While Walt is struggling in bonding with his family, his new neighbors enter the picture. They are a family of immigrants from Southeast Asia, who are having struggles of their own, namely, keeping their eldest son away from the local gangs. Thao, is a quiet kid, also with a big heart. Unfortunately, his older cousin is a member of a gang, and continually taunts Thao into joining as well. One night, Thao, under pressure from his cousin’s gang, attempts to steal Walt’s Gran Torino as an initiation. Ironically, it is at this point, that Walt and his neighbors begin to form a bond – the kind of bond that he never had with his own family.

The only thing that I really struggled with, was the seemingly, one-dimensional portrayal of Walt’s family. Are families really like that? My family has always been very close, so the distance in their relationship was hard for me to grasp and understand, especially the attitude of his granddaughter. Maybe, I was just more sheltered than many other families. I am sure there are families like that. The move did make me re-examine my own relationship with my father. I had to look and ask myself if I was, even remotely, treating my father that way. To be honest, seeing this movie with my dad was a good bonding experience.

As Walt overcomes many of his racial stereotypes and misconceptions, he and Thao actually grow very close. Walt vows to protect Thao from the gang, even if it means sacrificing his own life. The movie is very moving and poignant. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the subtle humor that is also expressed. There is some violence in the movie, as I expected. One major warning regards the use of rather rough and foul language. If you are easily offended by this, you may want to pass on Gran Torino. Though the language may be a bit over-the-top at times, I feel that it would have been unrealistic without it. Normally, I prefer to view movies that don’t use a lot of profane language. This movie was an exception, because of the strong storyline, the growth of the characters, and the focus on the relationships. You could skip the movie because of the language. However, you would be missing out on a riveting movie that shows how an unlikely relationship can forever transform a life. Because of Walt’s ultimate act of selflessness and love, Thao would go on to follow his dreams, leaving the gang behind.

Visit the Gran Torino website.

Storyline: New Band Rocks Springfield!

Springfield music lovers are in for new treat! Former One Star Story drummer, Geno Valloni has teamed up with new lead vocalist, Ashley Morgan to create Storyline. Since it’s creation, the band has added three new members. Mike Duvall and Zack Person play the guitar. Former, OSS bassist, Bryant Babbitt recently joined Storyline doing the same. Zack also played on occasion with One Star Story.

Where One Star Story was alternative and edgy, Storyline seems to have found their niche in a sound that is poppier, clean, and fun. Their signature song, Give Chase, is one of my favorites. The song is catchy and upbeat, and allows Ashley to show her strong vocal range. The video for Give Chase is hip, fun, and professional.

The thing that I find most appealing about Storyline is that fact that both the music and the band come across as real. I can relate to the music, and I can relate to the people behind the music. Their image is authentic versus flashy. Storyline is made up of real people just trying to do what they love: music.

Be sure to check out Storyline’s website.

Girls’ Night Out – Umi Japanese Restaurant

I had been looking forward to Girls’ Night Out all week. The plan was to dine on sushi at Umi.  We would, then head over the the Campbell 16 to see the just-released chick-flick, Bride Wars. Bride Wars was a bust. It was sold out! I was really kind of surprised by that. I didn’t figure that a chick-flick such as that would be sold out, even on a Friday night. I guess that just gives me an excuse to plan another girls’ night out very soon. At least we had a great time at Umi!

We met at Umi, promptly at 6:30 on Friday night. As soon as we walked in the door, it became apparent that we should have made reservations. Nearly all of the tables in the rather small space were packed. There was one table for six that was open, and the hostess offered that table to us. However, since we were only a party of three, we opted to sit at the sushi bar, which I rarely do. That was actually quite fun! We were able to chat, while observing the sushi chefs hard at work.

Needless to say, the chefs were swamped! I would love to return on a slower night, perhaps during the middle of the week. That would provide me the opportunity to visit with them, ask questions, and get recommendations. After all, I still consider myself somewhat of a newbie in the world of sushi. On this particular night, I was able to inquire about a few of the rolls they were making. However, I found our waiter to be the most helpful. I wish I would have asked his name, because he deserves a mention.

• Our waiter was prompt, professional, attentive, and efficient. Yet, he was not “overly attentive.” That is a good thing. I dislike it when servers are so attentive that they actually become obtrusive and annoying.
• He was very helpful as we were deciding which sushi rolls to order. I learned some new things about sushi that I didn’t know before.
• Our waiter highly recommended the Kissy Kissy roll, so I ordered that. I also ordered a second sushi roll. However, he was quick to point out that the two rolls I ordered were very similar in taste. He suggested a couple of other rolls that would offer more variety in flavor. I am very glad that he stepped in to do that. I ultimately decided on the Kissy Kissy roll, and the Geisha Roll.
• I love that Umi serves miso soup and a small salad with your sushi. Though the salad was small, it was quite tasty. I loved the dressing. Umi’s miso soup is, hands-down, one of the best in Springfield!
• When the sushi was served, I was a little surprised at how long they were. Yet, the pieces were not so big that they couldn’t fit into my rather small mouth. They were just right.
• The Kissy Kissy roll is made up of cream cheese, avocado, salmon,and crispy crab. The Geisha roll is one of the more expensive sushi rolls on Umi’s menu. The price tag is approximately $15, but it is well worth the cost! The Geisha roll was generous in size, and is comprised of shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and crab stick. In addition, it is topped with tuna. I couldn’t decide which one was my favorite. I liked both of them, and they were of two distinct tastes.
• Umi has more more than sushi on it’s menu. I am excited to return and try some of the other dishes, especially the bento box lunches, the filet mignon, and the Umi VIP Special.

I think I may have discovered a new favorite sushi place here in Springfield. I found Umi Japanese Restaurant to have fabulous food and service! Our waiter definitely played a part in our overall experience at Umi. I can’t wait for another girl’s night out!

Be sure to check out Umi’s website.

Happy New Year!

May 2009 bring you prosperity, peace, health, & many blessings. I pray that all of your wishes for the next year come true, and that your New Year’s resolutions become stunning successes. God Bless!

Average Joe Interview – John: All Things Used

When I walked into Thai Peppers tonight, I was somewhat relieved that my friend, John hadn’t yet arrived. John was to be my first official interview for my new post series, the Average Joe and Jane Interviews. Admittedly, I wasn’t totally prepared with a thought-out list of questions. I was also aware that I should be recording the interview, rather than frantically writing down notes as we talked. Eating dinner at the same time would provide a little more of a challenge as well.

Alas, my worries were unfounded. The interview went surprisingly well. As the interview progressed,  more and more questions and scenarios popped into my head. Growing up in Springfield, John knows much about the history of the area. He is also a sports-lover and has a special fondness for the St. Louis Cardinals. In fact, his life-long love of sports was the vehicle that transformed a young K-Mart employee into a small-business owner.

John is not in the sports business. Rather, he is a dealer of antiques and collectibles, in addition to used furniture. When asked how he became interested in flea markets and antiques, John credited sports collectibles. As a young adult, he loved collecting sports memorabilia of all types, but mostly related to the St Louis Cardinals. Eventually, sports collectibles became more expensive and difficult to find.  John slowly started to learn more about collectibles, their values, and the best places to find them.  It was at this time that a family friend piqued John’s interest in flea markets.

He opened his very first display case in 1987 in the now-defunct, Old Town Flea Market.  John reported that the building that once housed Old Town, on Booneville Avenue, may become loft apartments. At one time, John considered buying a flea market, rather than just renting a booth. He was contemplating purchasing the Galloway Flea Market back in the early ’90s, so the owner let him manage the store for a month. This would give John an idea of what it would be like to own and manage his own store. John reported that after one month, he was ready “to get the heck out of there.”  Dealing with customers and renters was stressful, and operating a flea market offered far less flexibility than renting a booth.

I asked about the progression of the flea market world over the years. John replied that Ebay has forced prices down in the flea markets and antique stores.  Ebay, combined with the Antiques Roadshow, has made consumers more aware of what is rare and what is not. They have also helped buyers become more knowledgeable about the values of collectibles and antiques.

I learned quite a bit about the antique, collectible, and used furniture business over the course of our interview.  Like any other consumer-related business, it has changed and evolved over the years. Here are just a few of the interesting facets of the business that John taught me tonight:

• John remembers Beanie Babies, old lunch boxes, and Hull Pottery to be some of the most sought-after collectibles during his many years in the flea market world. However, the value of such items has dropped off in the last several years.
• Some pieces of Hull Pottery doubled and/or tripled in value during a short two-year time frame during the late ’90s.
• The flea market, collectibles, and antique business was at it’s peak in the ’90s.
• Surprisingly, October of this year, was one of John’s most lucrative months, despite the downturn of the economy. He gives credit to the fact that people are starting to realize the value of buying used.
• Since October, his sales have dropped off. He says this is partially due to the fact that he has not been able to effectively replenish the supply.  Garage sales are abundant during the spring and summer months, but are sparse during the winter season.
• Another factor in the lack of supply, is the fact that people have not been able to sell homes during this economy. As a result, there have been fewer moving sales which means less merchandise to buy and resell.

So does John have any advice for people interested in entering the flea market business? You bet he does! After all, he has been in the business for over 20 years. Here are some key pieces of advice from a seasoned professional:

• Start out by frequenting auctions.  This is where you will learn the most about the true value of various antiques and collectibles.
• Another way to learn about collectibles, and flea markets, in general is to work in one! Find a part time job and learn all you can.
• Renting a booth does offer the flexibility of self-employment. Realize, however, that it does take an investment of both time and money. John spends nearly every weekend searching garage sale after garage sale for items which he can resell.
• John typically spends between $2,000 and $3,000 per month at garage sales, during the summer months.
• Additionally, he says that booth rental can average about $75 per month for a 1/2 booth. A full booth may average about $150 per month. Usually, the flea market takes a 10% commission in addition to the booth rental.
• Constantly seeking out merchandise to resell will take a toll on your automobile and gas budget.  John says that he put over 24,000 business miles alone on his vehicle last year.
• At first, John started mapping out his garage sale route by vicinity. Now, however, he maps them out by which garage sales “may be the best.” He says he would drive from one end of town to the other, if the two sales offered better finds, at better prices. He would choose this method, over going to several garage sales in the same vicinity, if they didn’t have potential.
• Craigslist has been a godsend in the winter months.
• Ebay has actually helped the market for costume jewelry.
• In order for a vintage or antique item to sell high in today’s market, it must be in absolute mint condition.
• This is actually a very competitive business. It is not uncommon for two or more dealers to show up at the same time to buy a piece of used furniture or an antique.
• Antique furniture is usually of far better quality than new, mass-produced furniture of today.
• It is much easier to make a profit on selling used furniture. John makes far more money selling used furniture, than he does selling antiques and collectibles. If it wasn’t for used furniture, John admits he would probably be out of business.
• John learned much by trial-and-error. However, he started in the business over 20 years ago, when the economy and the flea markets were flourishing. He states that the trial-and-error method “doesn’t work too well now.” You really do need to do a lot of research before getting started.

John disclosed that he has a “top-secret weapon.” Basically, he has a secret method that has given him an edge in this competitive business.  I have been friends with John for many years, yet have no earthly idea what his secret is.  He does go on to say that while flea marketing can be competitive, most of the people in the business are of good character and integrity.

John recalls his first “big find.” Early in his career, he found an oak table and chairs for $50. He was able to sell the dining set for $125. He laughingly says “I thought I had arrived.”  One of his best discoveries was at the home of a gentleman who worked for Coca-Cola in the 1940′s. John ended up spending over $1600 on vintage and antique Coca-Cola items that day.

In addition to his practical, hands-on experience,  John holds an undergraduate business degree from Missouri State University.  At the time he attended the school, it was still named Southwest Missouri State University. Regardless of the school’s name, a solid business education has surely given John an edge in being a self-employed business owner.

Despite the changes in the economy and the industry, John continues his successful run in the world of flea markets. He now has profitable booths at multiple locations in and around the Springfield area.  To John, flea marketing has become far more than a hobby, or even a catalyst for seeking out his beloved sports memorabilia.  It has become his bread and butter. He is one of the few who actually makes a comfortable living at flea marketing.

Random tidbits:

• Favorite Movie = Groundhog Day and the new James Bond movies.
• Sports John Plays = softball, basketball, golf
• Favorite Sports Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs
• Favorite Restaurant: Thai Peppers
• Favorite Music: Bluegrass, Traditional Irish, Christian Rock (especially Third Day and Casting Crowns)
• Favorite Quote: Better to make a fast nickel than a slow dime. He applies this way of thinking to his flea market business. Buy reasonable and sell reasonable so that you can keep the flow of money coming in.

Girls’ Night Out: Envy, Tonic Ultralounge & James Bond

I have been wanting to check out the Tonic Ultralounge in downtown Springfield for a few months now. I jumped at the chance, when a friend suggested the somewhat upscale bar for a girls’ night out. We are not fuddy-duddies by any means, but we are not big party-goers either. Thus, we opted to meet for a 6:00 dinner, with a movie at the new Hollywood Theaters to follow. My friend had been to Tonic just a few nights earlier, and had high remarks about the food and service.

We both arrived at Tonic promptly at 6 o’clock on Friday night. However, I had actually arrived in the downtown area about a half an hour early. My friend had also suggested that I check out a new clothing store on Walnut Street, called Envy. She definitely knows my taste. The clothes looked trendy & fabulous! Thankfully, the prices are much more reasonable than some of the other trendy apparel stores in the downtown area. They are not Wal-Mart prices, but you won’t necessarily have to shell out $200 for a pair of jeans either. I bought a new, but vintage-looking red coat and scarf. I also found a very nice, large handbag that matched perfectly. I only paid about $80 for all three combined. Those were regular prices, not sale prices. I decided to wear the new coat and handbag on my girls’ night out.

I walked from Envy to the Tonic Ultralounge. The downtown area was surprisingly dark and desolate for a weekend. I had to remind myself that it was the day after Thanksgiving, and it was a little early in the evening. People were probably busy doing family stuff, or shopping and dining in the south area of town, near the mall. Also, most of the college students had gone home for the holiday.

When we arrived at Tonic, there was only one other customer. Another friend met us shortly after we arrived, but no one else came in the entire time we were there. I was told that it is usually swamped on weekends, with a wait of at least an hour to eat. This particular night, we had the place to ourselves, and it was somewhat hard to imagine the place being packed.

The menu doesn’t have an abundance of items, but I found a few that sounded quite good. They have your basic bar-food appetizers, hamburgers and sandwiches. What looked really good to me, were the main entrees, even though there were only a handful. This is where the problem started. I first ordered the seabass. A few minutes after taking our order, the waiter returned and announced that they were out of seabass. I then opted for the filet mignon, only to find out a few minutes later, that there were out of that too. In fact, they were out of all of the entrees. Apparently, they had been slammed the night before, but were unprepared for the crowd because it was Thanksgiving. I was told that they had all of the appetizers and hamburgers. However, I wasn’t in the mood for typical bar food. If I wanted a hamburger, I would have just gone to Burger King! I didn’t want to come across as a picky wench, and I didn’t want to embarrass by friends. Therefore, the three of us decided to order 2 appetizers and share them.

The nachos were very generous in size, but it was obvious that none of the ingredients were very fresh. In addition, the toppings were sparse. The guacamole and taco meat looked like they had been sitting around for a couple of days. All in all, this appetizer was quite unimpressive.

The sampler platter was just a tad better. It came with four types of appetizers: egg rolls, scallops, shrimp, and some kind of herb cream cheese wontons. They were (once again) out of the scallops, so we agreed to substitute more of the wontons. The platter was $15, which I thought was much too expensive for what we received. We received only four of each item. The shrimp were kind of small to warrant only getting 4 pieces. The only thing that I really liked were the egg rolls. They were actually quite good.

We were still a little hungry, so we decided to indulge in dessert. We were (once again) told that they were out of ALL of the desserts, except the chocolate fondue. Fortunately, that was the dessert we had been wanting. Again, it was just okay. There was nothing overly special about the chocolate. We received four items for dipping: apple pieces, pineapple, cinnamon-dusted sopapillas, and strawberries. The strawberries were surprisingly fresh, considering that nothing else seemed to be. The pineapples pieces were tough and chewy, and the apples were tough and dry. They were also kind of brown. The sopapillas were pretty good though.

Despite the snafu with the food (or lack of), I thought the service was actually great. The waiter was friendly and very apologetic about our experience. Additionally, he kept our beverages refilled at all times. Of course, we were about the only ones there, so I’m sure that made the task much easier.

My first experience at Tonic Ultralounge was not all I hoped for, but I WILL be going back. My friends swear by the place, so I am confident that this was just a really “off” night. After all, it was Thanksgiving weekend, and they had been unexpectedly slammed on the holiday itself. I look forward to trying it again – hopefully I will have the sea bass or the filet next time!

Since I wrote so much about Tonic, I will be brief with my review of the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. All I can really say, is that I loved it! I was disappointed when Pierce Brosnan was left out in the cold, and not rehired to play 007. As a result, I boycotted Casino Royale. I decided to give Daniel Craig a chance, when I heard from several friends say that he was much better than Brosnan. I have to say, it is true. While, I am a Pierce Brosnan fan, he was much too soft for the role of James Bond. Daniel Craig brings back that much needed edge, while still showing Bond’s compassionate side. If I must say, I think I have developed a little crush on Mr. Craig. I also loved the opening credits and the accompanying song, Another Way to Die. Jack White, of The White Stripes, teamed up with R&B songstress, Alicia Keys for the piece. I never would have envisioned the two of them performing a song together. Then again, I never would have paired Jack White with Loretta Lynn either. They were fabulous together! Here is a link to a Youtube video of the opening sequence of Quantum of Solace. Check it out for yourself!

The new Hollywood Theaters at College Station are quite nice as well. The seats are the most comfortable in town, and the lobby is very appealing. The prices are high – $9 for adults. However, I think they are about the same at the Campbell 16. People have been complaining about the high prices of movie tickets ever since I was a kid. This is nothing new, and I wasn’t surprised by the $9 price tag.

The girls’ night out was a nice little getaway that I needed, after spending Thanksgiving with family. It turned out to be a fun, fabulous night even when you factor in the experience at Tonic. Keep in mind that I will be returning to Tonic Ultralounge again, so watch for an updated review. I just have to give them a second chance!

7 Wonders Wednesday: Cool Links for November 5, 2008

Once again, I have some links to share that are interesting, useful, and fun. I actually had to narrow down the list this week, as I can only include seven links for each 7 Wonders Wednesday post.

1. I know this post may be outdated by a few days, but the Wise Bread blog offers 10 Things to Do With Leftover Halloween Candy. There are some really good ideas, ranging from making homemade flavored Vodka, to baking, to making a pinata. Even though the post is geared toward Halloween candy, it really can apply to other holidays as well. Typically, I find myself with leftover candy at Christmas, Valentines Day, and Easter, in addition to Halloween. Check out the article for some creative and useful ideas
2. Do you have a self-hosted WordPress blog? If you do, you should take a peek at the WpRecipes: Daily Recipes to Cook with WordPress. This site doesn’t have anything to do with cooking. Rather, it is full of tips, tricks, and how-to’s, geared at spicing up your blog’s design and functionality. There are tons of ideas and DIY tips, with step-by-step instructions. Honestly, I never realized that I could change my blog and layout so much.
3. Qwitter is a really neat, little tool for Twitter users. If you use Twitter, you can be alerted by email whenever someone stops following you. The alerting email will give you the user’s display name. It will also tell you which of your posts was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Basically, you will learn, after which of your posts, they quit following you.
4. I love all things Twitter! Over at Mashable, you can read about Sixteen Great Twitter Moments. These are real-life stories and situations. They range from saving money on a computer, to raising funds for a trip, to tracking perilous weather situations, to getting better customer service, and more. This article demonstrates the usefulness of social media sites such as Twitter. It proves that social media goes beyond fun and games.
5. Would you like to keep up with your favorite RSS feeds on-the-go? If so, you may want to try out Pingie. This is a new service, still in beta, that converts your favorite RSS feeds into SMS text messages. You simply register with your email, cell phone number, and any RSS feed URLs that you would like to include. Whenever that blog or RSS feed is updated, you will receive a text message. Of course, normal carrier text messaging charges will apply.
6. If you enjoy online radio sites such as Pandora or Lastfm, you might also like Blip.fm. I recently discovered this site, and I love it! At Blip, you can be come a DJ, of sorts. You simply search for a song or artist that you like, and “Blip it.” You can also leave a short comment. Once you blip a song, it is queued into a universal Blip.fm playlist. You can listen to your song, and continue listening to songs added by other users. You can also create your own playlist, and add songs that were Blipped by other users. Additionally, you can add other DJs as favorites, if you like the music they blip. Blip.fm is a great way to discover new music and artists, of which you have never heard.
7. Just in time for Thanksgiving, I found two delicious recipes at the What’s Cooking blog. Check out their post offering a recipe for Apple Spice Dump Cake, made in a a crock pot. The same post has a recipe for Pumpkin Dump Cake, though this one is baked in the oven. They are both wonderful!

Well that is it for this week. I sincerely hope that you check out some of these websites, and discover something new and useful. I have more cool links, yet to come, next Wednesday.