DOMINO'S PIZZA

I realize that what I'm about to write may alienate some readers, as well as encourage some to make a relatively unhealthy dietary choice. This is a gamble I'm willing to take. 


Recently, Honeybee and I were at home, exhausted and starving, a combination that often leads to horrific choices ending with pints of Ben & Jerry's Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream. Anyway, after a couple of not-so-hot edible experiences with some other local pizza places, we decided to order from that beloved 90's delivery staple, Domino's. 

Hoping to "Avoid the Noid" (and risk being seen in public), we ordered online.

Wow. The entire online ordering experience with Domino's was a cheese-filled breeze. Excellent, actually. Easy to order, and their website enthusiastically detailed the process for us. At one point, the website even informed us that "Luigi" (not his real name) was "boxing" our pizza. It's that specific. 

The pizza itself was delicious, with ingredients that tasted as fresh as anything I'd tasted recently from other delivered endeavors. 

Log on, order up and bon appetit! ... I'm serious. Click For Domino's

"THE VIEW"

Dear Readers, 

You may have been wondering where I've been for the past few months. I've been all over the place, truly. The Poconos, New England, Europe ... but mostly, I've been working my tail off at my "job job." Not my first choice for summer fun, but such is life. 

Because I've been so busy with work, it forced me to make some hard decisions about the free time I was left with. I felt forced to hold a mirror to my eating, sleeping and exercise habits, and I realized that I'm an ice-creaming eating, sleep-deprived, fat ass. 

This self-inventory did not stop there though. I checked my DVR listings off and on during this time and was shocked at how many episodes of The View I was expected to catch up on. Could that much time have truly passed? But I dove in to a couple of episodes anyway ... and decided that I was giving up on "The View."

It should be said here that I used to L-O-V-E The View, from the Meredith Viera days onward. (Yes, including Rosie's time - like it or not - she's what took the show into a whole new direction with her passionate political views. I loved her.) The way the ladies would spar and discuss the political climate was often informative and exhilarating - except for Sherri Shepherd, who can barely keep her flash cards in order, let alone give commentary on them. 

The reason I'm giving up on the show is that it has become painfully clear that they are simply unable (or afraid) to give any type of real commentary on celebrity news. Whether it's Charlie Sheen, Tracy Morgan or Lindsay Lohan, you can almost predict the lame sound bites to come ...

Joy:  (Enter joke here that with will inexplicably loop in Sarah Palin.)

Sherrie:  "Do the kids know?" "Was his wife there?" "Did anyone see her do it?" (Do your research, please.)

Elizabeth:  "What do I tell MY KIDS about this?" (Yes, you poor thing. Sorry, I can never imagine her at a loss for words.)

Whoopi:  "Everyone makes mistakes." (Yes, but not all of them involve hookers, grand larceny, racial slurs and threats of violence.)

Barbara:  "What a tragedy for all involved." (In fairness, Barbara often is the most feisty - so I won't judge.) 

YAWN. I realize that The View relies on celebs as guests, so I'm confused as to why the show brings up these types of topics in the first place? They all walk such a rehearsed tight rope whenever celeb topics come up - it's mind-numbing to watch, as if they're "giving a pass" to celebrity behavior and/or condoning it. 

They should just stick with politics, economy, health and news of the day - sans celeb stories. Otherwise, all the safe responses suggest that out of that five-woman panel, there's not one true backbone. 

THE BEST CAT FOOD

Shopping for your cat can be a guilt-ridden experience. There are things your cat wants (toys), things your cat needs (litter) and things you want to somehow diminish the fact that you have a cat in the first place (lint rollers).

I'm often confused by the manufacturers of some "scented" cat products though. For instance, we buy our cat, Shorty, hypo-allergenic "Cat Wipes." The wipes come in two scents: Natural and Baby Fresh. Both of these choices are nonsensical. "Natural" would just make the cat smell like a natural cat, which is part of the reason you're buying Cat Wipes. "Baby Fresh" is just plain disturbing. A lot of people have pets because they don't have/want kids, so why on earth would you want your cat to smell like a baby? Blech. Seriously, if I ever walked into your home and mentioned that I smelled "a baby" without seeing an actual baby anywhere in sight ... and you swore to me that you did't have a baby ... and yet I can smell a "baby" ... somewhere in your home ... I'd probably call the cops on you.

A much easier decision is that of cat food. Weruva brand is the best, paws down. A great company. Grain Free and made in the USA. Treat your cat! (Shorty would scratch my eyes out if I didn't mention his favorite kind of Weruva, Mack and Jack.)


Click for Weruva's Website

ON CHIVALRY

My friend Souxie just forwarded me an email she received from a male friend (why isn't critical to this posting). As I read the email, I was stunned by the shortest sentence within it. At one point of the correspondence, the gent wrote, "Thanks man!" 

My friend Souxie is all woman, folks. This trend of men calling women "man" "dude" and (I swear I've heard) "guy" baffles me. I realize that gone are the days in which men would tip their hat to fair ladies as they pass them in the town square, but this? Really?

I blame Randy Jackson, for starters. A grown man, referring to young teenage girls with comments usually beginning with "So look, dude ..." is inexcusable. Would the American Idol judge talk to Aretha Franklin that way (or any of the other ladies he has worked with)? If so, he's beyond help. If not, he - and all the dudes like him - need to clean up their acts.

I believe that chivalry isn't dead, but I do think it's lounging around in a lazy haze in about half the men out there.

Men, if you wouldn't refer to your girlfriend as "man" (which I'm guessing you wouldn't, as it could shake up an otherwise pleasant make-out session), you shouldn't do it to other ladies either. Even if you're a proud slacker. Even if your primary mode of transportation is a skateboard. Even if you have one of those overgrown Justin Beiber hairstyles that block half your face and blow gently in the breeze (which I'm kinda jealous of) ... you should still be able to distinguish a man from a woman.

And Ladies, if a man can't see that you're a "lady" ... he sure ain't going to treat you like one. If someone calls you "dude" or anything you are not, gently correct them. They won't do it again. And if there are any ladies out there that don't mind being called "dude" or "man" or "guy" - please let me know why it doesn't bother you.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I thank you for your time.

STARBUCKS' "CHAI TEA LATTE"

As my eight followers know, I'm not much of a coffee drinker. The flavor consistently pales in comparison to the aroma. I love the smell, but the taste ... eh.  Starbucks coffee, in particular, is entirely too bitter and strong for me. I have enough hair on my chest, thank you. 

The other day though, I found myself in a Starbucks. It was rainy, and I was looking for cover and a beverage, and a cover for my beverage. Although they got my name wrong (how does "Briiiiian" becomes "Bran"???), she did get my drink right, so I'll give credit where credit is due. 

Dear Readers, I've fallen in love with Starbucks' Chai Tea Latte. It doesn't matter if it's Iced or Hot - it's like Christmastime in my mouth. A delicious, comforting blend of spices that will tickle your taste buds and  ... blah blah blah. Just get it. I love it. You will too. Try it.  Oh, and never name your child "Bran."


For a Starbucks location near you ... and they're everywhere ... http://www.starbucks.com/store-locator