Big Brother 13 Countdown Begins

Big Brother 13 debuts on CBS TV Thursday night, July 7.  You remember Big Brother, right?  It's the show that gets horrible people together in a house to try and win $500,000.  I know that it is a complete waste of time, but I can't seem to stop watching.  What is your hold over me BB?

The new house guests have been announced.  Click here for a complete rundown.  In addition to the eight new house guests, CBS has a poll on its Web site asking people to choose which couples from previous shows they want to see back in the house again.  My only hope is that Jesse and Natalie are not among them.  I don't think I could stomach them any more.

Below are the new guys:

Adam Posh is a 39-year-old music inventory manager originally from East Brunswick, New Jersey.  He says he has a girlfriend back home.

Dominic Briones is a 25-year-old college student originally from San Mateo, California.  He too appears to be heterosexual. 

Keith Henderson is a 32-year-old human resources manager originally from Bolingbrook, Illinois.  Also a straight man.  

Lawon Exum is a 39-year-old legal file clerk originally from Urbana, Illinois.  He considers his fashion sense "sick."  Gee... I wonder who the gay guy is.  

A Tasting at Linden Vineyard in Virginia

Shane and I met up with our friends Paul and Warren at Linden Vineyard in Linden, Virginia, about 75 minutes by car from DC.  Paul and Warren treated us to two tastings and lunch with a bottle of wine.  The photo above is me at the cellar tasting.  It really is a beautiful place in the rolling mountains of western Virginia.  It was the perfect way to start our weekend.  Thanks Paul and Warren!

The barrels in the cellar tastings decorated with tea lights. 

Warren explains the taste of pencil shavings in
wine to Paul, who mistakes it for diesel fuel.

Amazing view from the deck of the vineyard.

Even the parking lot is pretty!

Friday Night Cocktail-Sweet Emily

Sweet Emily

We went out to dinner to the Chesapeake Room on 8th Street on Capitol Hill.  Of course I had a cocktail--a Sweet Emily.  Here is the description:  House-infused lemon vodka, muddled strawberries, fresh lemon juice, and a dash simple syrup. Ironically, it wasn't that sweet at all.  It was kind of bland.  Oh well.  At least it was pretty.  The food was good though.

Goodbye and Good Riddance Glenn Beck

Today was Glenn's last day on his Fox News show, which he got fired from for being too loony for Fox News.  Who knew that was possible.  Unfortunately, I'm sure he will still be on something somewhere spewing his bullshit.  Please don't feel any obligation to watch all of this, as it can be bad for your blood pressure.

Where In the World Is Shane? Seattle!

Shane is on a business trip to Seattle this week.  Actually, he is on his way home today.  He had a few hours on Sunday when he first arrived, so he headed directly to the Space Needle where he had the cheesy, fake looking photo taken above.  Below are some more realistic photos he took with his iPhone from the top of the Needle and at the Gay Pride festivities going on in downtown Seattle.  His cab driver at first told him he couldn't take him to the Space Needle because of the Gay Pride Festival going on.  He told him to get him as close as he could.  It is interesting to compare the size of Mount Rainier in the fake photo above and the real photo of the view from the Needle shown below. 

Shane on top of the Space Needle

View from the Needle showing Mt. Rainier

Participants in the Seattle Gay Pride Parade.
Notice the rainbow flag on the Space Needle.

Gay Pride in a sunny Seattle

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #293

It's going much faster since he got a shovel.

This is my idea for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #293.  My original idea for this one was to just leave in the same caption from last week and see if anyone noticed.  It was:  "No, we don't have any Grey Poupon either."   Let me know if you have any ideas for a caption too.  

Where In the World Is Shane?

Shane is on the road again and this is a photo he sent me of the view from his hotel room.  Can you guess where in the world Shane is?  There just may be an amazing prize.  Maybe.

Qrank Strategies to Maximize Points

As I have mentioned before, I love playing Qrank on my iPhone.  It was named one of my Top 10 Favorite Apps.  It is a daily trivia game that Shane also has recently begun playing.  I was trying to explain to him some of the strategies I use to maximize my scores.  I thought I would share them here also.

Before I even open Qrank to play, I check on Twitter for Qrank's "Hint of the Day."  Sometimes it helps, and sometimes not.  There is also another hint on Facebook, but I never check on that one.

Each day there are four categories of 20 questions, though you only answer 15 questions during a game. There are 8 easy questions worth 200 points, 8 medium questions worth 400 points, and 4 hard questions worth 1,000 points.  Behind three of the questions is a 3X and two 2Xs.  The point value of those questions is multiplied by 3 or 2 times their normal value.  There are also 5 "Power-Ups," which are helps available to use during the game and found on the bottom of the screen.

Reveals bonuses hidden behind question in one row

To begin each game, I use two of the "Power-Ups" at the start.  The first lets you select a row of questions to see if there is a 3X or 2X bonus hidden.  I always choose the second row of the easy questions.  Because you only answer 15 of the 20 questions, I only answer 3 of the easy questions to maximize the number of points I can get.

Reveals the subject categories for one row

The second help I use reveals the subject categories for one row.  I always choose the top row of the easy questions.  The only advantage this give is that if there is a category I am not particularly good at, namely Sports, I can avoid it.  Because I always answer all the medium and difficult questions, it doesn't matter where the bonuses or what the categories are in those sections.

	Freezes timer for 10 seconds
	Reveals how other players answered this question
	Eliminates two wrong answers

I use the other three "Power-Ups" for the 1,000 point hard questions, especially if they have a 3X or 2X bonus.  The snowflake freezes the timer.  When the answers appear after the some time to read the question, the longer you take to answer the question, the lower the points.  The snowflake gives you 10 extra seconds, and when the question is worth 3,000 points, that can be very helpful to your score.

You can use the other two "Power-Ups," if you need to, in concert with the snowflake.  The percent symbol shows you how others have answered the question.  This is not always helpful, as many times a majority of the people get a question wrong.  The other help eliminates 2 wrong answers, which makes a total guess much easier.

Another symbol that may be helpful is the small leaf on some of the questions.  It lets you know that question is about current events.  If you keep up with current events, this might be a question you can answer.  However, it is a trivia game, so some of the current events are a bit obscure.

Friend me on Qrank by searching for "BlueSpongeRun."  Good Luck!

Something Done about Missing Maine

On Tuesday, I posted about how we were missing Maine and we decided to see if our favorite place to stay in Maine, Moose and Squirrel, was available for the week we were available to go.  We found out the owner was not renting out the house at all this season.  It was a real bummer.  We love that place.  This will be the week of my 50th birthday, so it would have been nice if we could have stayed there.  Waaaa Waaaah...

Instead of giving up, we started looking for another place.  One of the problems is that we already have plans to go to New York City for the last part of that week, so we can only rent a place from Saturday to Thursday.  Long story short... we found the Upper Weiss Cottage (pictured above) on Little Deer Isle, Maine.  We will arrive on Saturday, July 29.

It is described as a rustic cabin with unsurpassed views, including water views of Penobscot Bay and its many islands.  It has private beach access and ample acreage.  It has relaxing open areas and meandering wooded trails to explore.  It sounds like a perfect place to get away and relax.  It is also near the nice restaurants of Blue Hill, and the house has high-speed Internet.  What more do we need?

How to Celebrate Gay Marriage in NY-Liza!

To celebrate the start of marriage equality for same sex couples in New York, I thought having Liza sing New York, New York from gay Paris would be fitting.  Congrats New Yorkers!!!

Friday Night Cocktail-Bay Breeze

Back in May, I posted a drink called the Hawaiian Sea Breeze, which the description compared to a Bay Breeze.  When I posted that, I had not yet had a Bay Breeze.  It is now one of my favorite cocktails.

There are two major differences in the drinks.  A Bay Breeze is a "tall drink," meaning it is too big for a martini glass, and it has Peach Schnapps.  Between the two, I vote for the Bay Breeze.

To make it, pour 1 and 1/3 ounces of vodka, 2/3 ounces of Peach Schnapps, 3 and 1/2 ounces of cranberry juice, and 1 and 2/3 ounces of pineapple juice into a shaker full of ice.  Shake and strain it into a highball glass filled with ice.  Actually, I used an old fashioned glass.  Garnish with a wedge of lime and serve with a straw.  Enjoy!!!

At the Nats Game with Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy and three other Presidents (Lincoln, Washington, and
Jefferson) have a foot race every game, but poor Teddy never wins. 

Our office took the afternoon for a "team-building" off-site and went to the Nationals baseball game.  It was super HOT and humid.  The game was a scoreless tie until the bottom of the 9th, when the Nats won with a bases loaded with one out.  The batter hit a fly ball far enough into the outfield for the guy on third to tag up and score.  The win put the team one game over .500.  It was their 11th win in the last 12 games.  Just after the game, the team manager resigned over a contract dispute.  Waa Waaaah...

Happy Birthday Cyndi Lauper! True Colors

Cyndi turns 58 today.  This is my favorite Lauper song.

Missing Maine-And Doing Something About It

Me (2 years ago) in front of Pumpkin Lighthouse in Little Deer Isle, Maine.

We do not have plans to go to Maine this year... yet.  We were talking today and thinking about the house we stay at in Maine, Moose and Squirrel (M&S).  With the house in Florida, we just don't have the time to spend a week in Maine this year... or do we?  We are planning on going to New York City for my birthday... for a long weekend.  We thought, why not just take the whole week off.  We could rent M&S for the week, but leave a few days early and spend the long weekend in New York. The problem is our leave situation.  If we take a week off in August, Shane won't have much leave left for the rest of the year.  But, we love M&S.  We're not even sure if it is available yet.  What to do, what to do?

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #292

No, we don't have any Grey Poupon either. 

This is my idea for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #292.  Let me know if you have any ideas for a caption too.  

Oh Happy Day Blog Giving Away Trip to Paris

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, the Oh Happy Day blog is giving away a trip for two to Paris, France!  Hurry, as today is the last day to enter.  The trip includes air fare and hotel in Paris.  It is a very nice prize!!
Go here to enter.

Robin's Nest in Our Crape Myrtle

We have a Crape Myrtle (also known as a Crepe Myrtle) in our very small backyard and a couple of robins have started a family in it.  I don't know if it is the smartest place to start a family, as it is just a couple of feet from our gas grill and our deck railing provides easy access to the nest by squirrels and other critters.  But, tragedy has yet to strike as mama robin seems to be guarding some eggs very closely.

I have a phobia of birds pecking my eyes out, so it took all my courage to get these shots with my iPhone.  She was not looking very friendly as I got a little too close.  You can see her "Oh No You Don't" look she is giving me if you look closely.

Dinner with Paul and Warren

We went out to the Italian restaurant near our house with our friends
Paul and Warren. We went for dessert to Hello Cupcake. Now we're
back at our house enjoying some wine. We're having a great time!

Friday Night Cocktail -- Aquamarine

Tonight's cocktail is called an Aquamarine, and as you can see, it is bluish green in color--sort of like the ocean where the ocean is pretty.  I like blue drinks, since it reminds me of my sponge.  Here's how you make it:

Pour 1 ounce of vodka, 2/3 ounce of peach schnapps, 1/3 ounce of blue curacao, 1/3 ounce of Cointreau, and 3 and 1/2 ounces of clear apple juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake.  Strain into a high ball glass filled with ice.  The directions say to garnish with a slice of star fruit, but I don't even know what that is.  Serve with a straw.  

I love it!

Buying Term Life Insurance-Cholesterol Drama

I currently have life insurance through my job as a Federal employee, but my current rate of $75 bi-weekly is going to go to $105 bi-weekly when I turn 50 in a few weeks.  It is much cheaper to get a comparable amount of term insurance through a private company.  I checked around and am able to get more insurance for $125 a month--better than the $227 a month the new rate will cost.  That low rate will stay the same for 20 years.  It is a huge savings over the Government insurance--more than $1,200.

The only problem is that I have to have a nurse come to the house and do a mini-physical, which includes taking blood for a cholesterol check.  I just had my cholesterol checked several months ago and it was not great.  Since then, I have been eating crazy amounts of salmon, oatmeal infused with flaxseed, and other foods designed to increase my HDL cholesterol.  However, it has only been a few months, so how much can it have changed by now?  I guess I'll find out.  My new insurance rate depends on it.

Hello Cupcake, Goodbye Diet

As I mentioned last week, a Hello Cupcake store has opened on Capitol Hill near our house and the $3 cupcakes may become a problem.  They are really good.  Really Good!  I've only had two so far and they were both the same flavor -- Triple Coconut, but it was by far the best cupcake I've ever had.  I don't want to know how bad these are for me, but I know they must be bad.

$2 Tuesday at the Washington Nationals Game

Shane and I took advantage of a $2 ticket special and brought my niece, Nicole, out to the Nats game. The seats are about as nose bleed as you can get, but we're in the stadium and having a great time watching the Nats lose, as usual.

Update:  We left at the end of the 5th inning, because Shane wasn't feel well after eating his burger and it was freezing up in the wind of our nose bleed seats.  It was 6 to 1 when we left--the Nats were losing.  We are now home watching it and the Nats are winning 8 to 6.  Who knew?

I gag on the horrible pulled pork sandwich I had at Nat's Park

New York Post Headline Pokes Fun at Weiner

I'd say this was a low blow, but it could be taken the wrong way.  Actually, just about anything you say in the Weiner context sounds wrong.  People can't seem to talk enough about the Weiner!

Crazy eHarmony Cat Lady Seeks a Mate to Marry

I assume since this was made for eHarmony, this is a straight person who is looking to find a man willing to marry her (who I would assume also likes cats). Sadly, they will be able to marry anywhere in the United States (presumably with a kitty ring bearer) and it will be recognized Federally. This crazy girl who can't speak for 2 minutes without making a fool of herself over cats may find some idiot willing to overlook her annoying voice and obvious mental disorder to join her in holy matrimony where she will be able to file taxes jointly, inherit her husband's Social Security benefits, and countless other perks of Federal legal marriage. Does that seem right?

Top 10 List--Broadway Shows I Want to See

With the Tony Awards recently airing, I have New York fever.  I can't wait to go back to the big city and see a bunch of Broadway shows.  We are going in August to celebrate my birthday, and while we won't be able to see 10 shows, these are the top 10 shows I want to see.

10.  Anything Goes--The Cole Porter musical stars Sutton Foster, who is the best. It also won best musical revival, beating out Daniel Radcliffe's How to Succeed in Business.

9.  The Motherf**cker with the Hat--Chris Rock and Bobby Cannavale star in this play that has gotten great review, except for Rock's performance.

8.  Mary Poppins--I remember seeing the film version of this show at the movies as a child, so there is some nostalgia in seeing the stage version.  Yes.  I am very old.

7.  Rock of Ages--The road version of this show is coming to DC, so perhaps we'll see that.  It stars American Idol alumni Constantine Maroulis.  Don't judge me.

6.  The Lion King--This has been playing for years and I have never seen it.  Truthfully, I'm not that interested in seeing it, but I am curious about the staging of the show.

5.  Priscilla Queen of the Desert--This was not exactly well reviewed, but it still looks like fun.  It is a gay obligation.

4. War Horse--What can I say?  I love puppet shows.  This show employs life-size horse puppets to tell the story of a boy's relationship with a horse during World War I.  It also won 5 Tony awards, including Best Play.

3.  The Normal Heart--Larry Kramer's play about the AIDS got a Tony for Best Revival and features Ellen Barkin, who also won. 

2.  The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures--This off-Broadway show has to be the worst titled show ever of any play or show of any kind.  However, it is by Tony Kushner of Angels in America fame and it has gotten good reviews.

and the Number 1 show currently on Broadway I want to see is-----

The Book of Mormon--Actually, I know that Shane has already gotten tickets to this show for my August birthday trip.  Isn't he awesome?  This show won 9 Tony Awards and is the hottest thing on the Great White Way.

Top 10 List--Favorite iPhone Apps

Words Free

You probably don't recall this, but I already did a List of my top 10 favorite iPhone apps in February 2010, but things change and so have my favorites.  Like before, this only include apps I've download, mostly for free--not apps that came with the phone.

Amazingly, I recently learned my iPhone also works as a telephone.  Here are my current favorite apps:

10.  Qrank -- The daily trivia game.  Invite me to be a friend by searching for bluespongerun.

9.  Angry Birds ($0.99) -- I love killing those pigs!

8.  Pandora -- Lets you hear music similar to songs and music artist you already like.

7. Words Free -- Very similar to Scrabble... I mean VERY.  Invite me to play a game (Mkr20003).

6.  Comcast Guide -- Allows you to remotely record stuff on the DVR.  I love technology!

5.  Gas Buddy -- Helps find the less expensive gas in your area.

4.  Netflix -- I can watch stuff from my Instant Queue on my iPhone.  Awesome!

3.  Twitter -- Follow me at BlueSpongeRun.  I have the occasional interesting twit.

2.  Sportcycle -- DC has a bike sharing program and this app lets you know where the stations are, how many bikes are available, or whether there is a free slot to park a bike I have checked out.

and my #1 Favorite iPhone App is:

Textfree -- Why would anyone pay to text when this little app, which is ad-based, lets you do it for free? The only down-side is that you have to use a new phone number that they provide (for free!).

How to Die In Oregon-Amazing HBO Documentary

How to Die In Oregon is a 2011 HBO Documentary by Peter D. Richardson about dying with dignity.  Shane and I watched it today and we thought it was amazing and very moving.  I wish there was a way to require everyone to sit and watch it.  I believe if that happened, many more people would understand the option that physician-assisted suicide provides.  Perhaps then it would become legal throughout the country, and not just in the states of Oregon and Washington.

The documentary shows the story of several brave individuals with terminal illnesses that choose to end their lives with dignity.  If you do watch this movie and aren't moved, you may not be right in the head.  Shane and I were all but sobbing.

Though it is not a happy subject, this is a fascinating film and I highly recommend it.  You might want to have a box of tissues handy.  It is available On Demand from HBO through June 19.

Friday Night Cocktail-Zest's Jameson Appleseed

Shane's step-sister, Cherri is in town from Connecticut, so we all went out to Zest on 8th Street on DC's Barracks Row.  Tonight, for a cocktail, I ordered the Jameson Appleseed.  It is made with Jameson Whiskey, (gingery) Domaine de Canton, apple cider, and cinnamon.  It was very good, though I think you know I am not crazy about the short cocktail glasses.  I enjoyed it though.

Cherri had a Strawberry Martini.  I don't think she cared that much for it.  I had a taste myself and thought it was not that great.  I was expecting more strawberry flavor.  It seemed kind of bland.  I liked my drink much better.

It was fun getting together with Cherri, and Zest is always delicious!  Cherri had the pork tenderloin, which was out of this world (I had a bite).  I had what I always have, the Roasted Leg of Lamb on grilled flatbread with caramelized onions, crumbled feta, and pomegranate bbq.  It is amazing.  Shane had the grilled New York Strip.

We discovered on our walk to Zest that a new Hello Cupcake has opened on 8th Street just a few doors down.  So we stopped in after dinner and bought some $3 cupcakes.  I got a Triple Coconut.  Shane said the one he got  (Prima Donna-chocolate with strawberry butter cream icing) was very good.  I am waiting a bit before I have mine.  I'm full.

Update: Best cupcake I ever had.  We will be back for more.  Not good news for the diet.

Hell-Larryass Commercial Parody of the Exorcist

I saw this on the I Should Be Laughing blog. I loved it and immediately lifted it. Thanks Bob!  Where do they have minute and half commercials?

Grey Gardens-Broadway Musicals I Regret Missing

We never saw the film, Grey Gardens, until after the Broadway show had already closed.  You have to be familiar with the movie to really appreciate the Broadway show I think.  Don't you think?  Anyway, above is the amazing Christine Ebersole as Little Edie Beale in a clip from the 2007 Tony Awards.  Below is a clip from the documentary the musical is based on showing the actual Edith Beale.  Don't forget to watch the Tony Awards this Sunday night!