Starbucks Blonde Coffee
I’m enjoying Starbucks new blend. Quite good.
“Meet the Robinsons”
Meet the Robinsons is a Disney cgi-cartoon film made without Pixar. The basic plot (from Netflix):
“In this animated adventure, brilliant preteen inventor Lewis (voiced by Daniel Hansen) creates a memory scanner to retrieve his earliest recollections and find out why his mother gave him up for adoption. But when the villainous Bowler Hat Guy steals the machine, Lewis is ready to give up on his quest — until the mysterious Wilbur Robinson (Wesley Singerman) shows up on the scene, whisking Lewis to the future to find the scanner … and his mom.”
Going into seeing “Meet the Robinsons” I didn’t have any high hopes except that it looked like fun. And it surely didn’t disappoint.
The characters were lots of fun, and the plot was actually interesting. There are some great zingers (“I don’t’ think this plan was thoroughly thought out”), and you finish the movie feeling good. I am happy to say that the “cartoonish” look totally fits the film, and it deals with all sorts of crazy things…
Overall 5 stars.
A Mighty Heart
When I decided to add “A Mighty Heart” to my Netflix queue, I wasn’t sure I’d actually be interested in seeing it. The film is a telling of what Daniel and Mariane Pearl went through when Danny was kidnapped and killed by “The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty.”
The film version of the story stars Angelina Jolie as Mariane, who is the main character of the story, going through the range of emotions once figuring out that her husband, Danny, has been kidnapped. It chronicles the efforts to find him, and the ultimate loss in the murder of Daniel Pearl.
First, I was very surprised by the acting quality in the film. I don’t usually like Angelina Jolie, but she was just amazing in this film. I was moved by the telling of this story, and glad to know this story. My heart goes out to Mariane Pearl for her comfort, and so that she can find true peace from God. I don’t really have words to talk about this movie, as I was really touched by it.
I hope that the members of the group that took Danny Pearl also can find true peace which comes from God.
Four Stars.
Humbly,
#Mark
Mom’s Passover Apple Matzo Kugel Recipie
Here’s my mom’s Passover Apple Matzo Kugel Recipie. Its a sweet passover kugel, that is just great.
You’ll need:
4 Matzos
water
3 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 stick margarine
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup light raisins
2 large apples diced
Break matzos into pieces. Soak in water until soft. Drain but don’t dry. Beat eggs and salt completely. add sugar, margarine and cinnamon. add to softened matzos. stir in raisins and apples. turn into shallow baking dish. bake in 350 degree overn for 45 minutes or until lightly brown.
I use regular raisins instead of light ones.
Hope you like it.
#Mark
In-n-Out Burger
So, I ate at In-n-Out Burger for the first time last night, on the way from the airport. I will say that I was looking forward to it, as I’ve never had it, but overall was disappointed. I’ll tell you why. The burger was the first thing I ate, and it was quite good. It was very fresh (not as fresh as on my friend John’s parent’s farm, but still), and tasted good. The (not-so-secret) sauce was a tangy thousand island dressing, which I enjoy.
Jon, who was with me, however, was saddend by the fact that thousand island contains mayo, which he dosen’t like. Ah well.
We got our food through the drive-through, and there was a guy taking the order! Not a speaker with a mic, but a person! Weird! One of the cool things, though, was that you could order the meal for “in the car.” That means the food came in a half-box, with the burgers half-wrapped, ready to eat.
Now we move onto the fries. On reccomendation, Jon and I both ordered our fries “animal style.” That means they are covered in grilled onions and cheese. Now, I admire in-n-out for making the fries fresh from actual potatoes, but they were just not good. In fact, they were what made the whole meal/experience disappointing.
The best quote of the night, from Jon: “The Dr. Pepper was better than the fries!”
Sweeney Todd
So, I watched the 1982 recording of Sweeney Todd last night, with Angela Landsbury and George Hearn. I haven’t ever seen it on stage or screen (the new Burton/Depp version). Knowing only the basics of the plot going in, I didn’t know what to expect.
First, George Hearn was brillant! He played the part with a wide range of emotion so well, from his facial expression to his body language, and voice changes. He’s really the star of the show, but there is a second star in Angela Landsbury, an eccentric woman who runs a meat pie shop.
I also highly enjoyed the back and forth between showing us story, and giving us info to move the plot through song. In this way, it didn’t really drag at all.
AND! the music is now stuck in my head! “Sweeney Todd! Sweeney Todd! The demon barber of fleet street!”
#M
Dr. Pepper
Ode to Dr. Pepper:
Oh, Dr. Pepper, how I enjoy thee.
Your authentic blend of 23flavors are so tasty.
Yum!
#M
Wicked
So, I went to see Wicked a sixth time tonight, and really enjoyed some of the new things. To me, the number “Popular” makes or breaks Ga-Linda’s performance. The actress this evening was different the those I’ve seen before, but she made Popular amazing. So fun and funny, and I loved how Elphaba played along with it.
So, now I’ve seen it six times. I think at least once more before it leaves Chicago, to make a complete seven. 
#Mark
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
Follow these simple directions:
1 Graham Cracker Crust
2 Eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 8oz block cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla
15 Andes Mints, chopped fine
Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
Add the chopped Andes mints, and blend in.
Pour into crust.
Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes or until center is almost set.
Cool: Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
That’s it! Easy as pie! (well, ok, easy as cheesecake!!)
