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!

"Out In America" Airing On PBS

Premieres on PBS stations in the U.S. Wednesday night, June 8.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #291

Heard you guys got clobbered by the Lions last week. 

This is my idea for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #291.  Let me know if you have any ideas for a caption too.  

My Top 10 Summer TV Shows to DVR (or Roku)

We rarely watch the 50-inch Panasonic plasma TV without using the DVR so we can speed past those boring commercials.  It is very nice to not have to plan your schedule around what is on TV.  Anytime we’re ready to watch the Panasonic, there is usually something interesting on the DVR.  If not, we also have our Roku to watch Netflix, Hulu Plus, and other stuff.

The following is my list of the Top 10 Shows playing on our Panasonic this summer:  

10. True Blood starts Sunday, June 26, on HBO.  We love this wacky show, though I wish Sooki would drop that boring Bill and see how much more interesting Eric is.

9.  Louie returns starting Thursday, June 23, on FX.  We didn’t watch the first season of this until it was offered on the Netflix Instant Play.  It actually got dropped from availability on Netflix before we were able to watch all the episodes.  I am looking forward to being able to see more of comedian Louis C.K.

8.  The Big C returns Monday, June 27, on Showtime.  We love Laura Linney!  This and Nurse Jackie are the only reasons we have Showtime. Alan Alda and Parker Posey are guest staring in the second season. 

7.  Curb Your Enthusiasm returns to HBO on July 10. Larry David is going to be back in New York City, so how could this not be hell Larry ass?

6.  The Glee Project is on the Oxygen channel starting June 12,  I am sure this will be quite hokey, but what the hay... Twelve contestants compete for a multi-episode guest-star role on Glee.  Judges include Darren Criss (Blaine).

5.  The Susie Orman Show on CNBC.  Are you kidding me girlfriend?  You know you're a homebody (loser?) when this is the highlight of your Saturday night.  There are always new episodes of Suzie on our DVR. 

4. All Creatures Great and Small on Netflix.  We have the first two seasons of this series on DVD, but the rest of the series is available on Netflix.  

3. Bob’s Burgers on Hulu.  We just started watching this series, so we have to catch up on the Hulu.

2. Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO On Demand.  Bill is continuing his current version of Politically Incorrect on cable.  It is usually good for a few laughs.  

1.  Big Brother 13 starts Thursday, July 7.  Don't judge me for watching the horrible people that compete for $500,000 on this train wreck of a show.  I'm sure there will be the usual cast of characters, including at least one token gay that makes all gays look bad.  I still think it would be cool to have a whole house full of gays.  But I doubt that it could get on network television.  

Sarah Palin History Lesson On Paul Revere

Sarah Palin has to be regretting this one.  But Sarah has no shame, so she will just write it off as the media taking a minor slip and making it into a big deal.  Obviously, she has no idea what she is talking about here, but that doesn't stop her from talking.  I think her main mission in life is to make George W. Bush look like a genius.  Bells?

Poor Sarah can't seem to get anything right.  Take a look at this fact-check of a Fox News interview she recently gave where she was awarded "a bushel of Pinocchios."

UPDATE: She has no shame!  She is claiming she was right! What about the bells?

Friday Night Cocktails--DC's Wisdom Lounge

Shane and I went out for a cocktail after work this evening.  We walked down Pennsylvania Avenue in South East DC toward the Potomac Metro stop and had a drink at the Wisdom Lounge.  The actual full name is the Wisdom Lounge & Bluecoat Gin Palace, but I think most people just call it Wisdom.  I had the drink pictured above, the Dragon's Tit.  The description on the menu is the following:

Habanero-infused Sauza Tequila balanced with Pomegranate Juice & Chambord. A nice fiery finish.

This is the second time I've had this drink and I like it.  But, I realize it may not be everyone's cup of tea. It reminds me of the candy, Hot Tamales.  It has a fiery start, middle, and finish.  It is not a dull cocktail.  I love the spicy flavor. 

Shane had the Pears of Wisdom (pictured below).  He has had it several times before.  I tasted his also, but it seemed a bit blander tonight after the Dragon's Tit.  There was a different bartender tonight, so the taste was not the same as we remember.  Here is its description:

Elegant & sophisticated Pear Vodka & Cognac combo with Elderflower imported from England.

Shane sips his Pears of Wisdom

Mitt Declares for President-What Does He Believe?

Mitt Romney declared his intention to run for the Presidency of the United States of America today.  Mitt is a Mormon, but what does that really mean?  I must admit that I think the beliefs of most religions is a bit bonkers, but if this cartoon accurately depicts what Mormons really believe... well it just seems a bit absurd.  I find it amazing that people actually believe this stuff.  That being said, I think the Osmonds are very entertaining.