Good chance I'll be logging heavy minutes at Animoto. Pretty amazing stuff and no doubt more impressive after digging deeper. Too bad the widget width swells my blog walls.

Labels: Mallory, vouchers, web design

I'm about to vouch like I haven't vouched in a while...

And what product better to set it off with than the Dr. Pepper I'm A Pepper Air Freshener? This scent was just recently installed in the Swag, but I'm predicting an impact on pop consumption. Quite frankly, I could see a one-can swing, one way or the other.

Less new to the Swag is Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. Let's call Fiasco Auto-Lupe because I've been wearing this one out over the last month. I would think even the non-rap fan readers of this blog might like tracks like "Superstar," "Streets on Fire," and "Little Weapon."

Thinkin' Arby's? If so, I'd like to direct your attention to the Chicken Salad Sandwich with Pecans. Don't bother clicking, here's the scoop: Freshly prepared chicken salad, made with grilled chicken, apples, grapes, celery, toasted pecans and mayo, with green leaf lettuce on thick sliced honey wheat bread. Almost enough to forgive them for the Oven Mitt.

And lastly, why not chill out this summer the old-fashioned way - via cool breeze? This Larson Screen Away Storm Door has me clamoring for some hot summer days. Should the heat get overbearing however, and the AC (and subsequent AC-lung) becomes very necessary, spare a second only and vamoose! The screen's gone!

Labels: music, vouchers

I'll vouch for the new World of Wings joint on 30 West. Don't let the fact that it's sandwiched between Pizza Hut and a Grease Monkey fool you... it's a happening place. I'm hardly a viable food critic, but the menu was right in my wheelhouse. The atmosphere seals the deal - bold colors, flat-panel tvs and WiFi. You could even go there for lunch. Their web presence is less vouchable, but you can check 'em out online at wingery.com.

I'll vouch for cereal's shift to stick crappy plastic toys in their boxes again. The Spongebob toppers are quality little freebies, although the Buzz Spinner is low on functionality. Bottom line... the junk drawer can be full again without logging into www.KelloggsFreeCrap.com.

I'll vouch for Hala Gas. I've been hoping for years that someone would re-occupy their location since it's the most time-efficient spot for me to stop for a work morning fill-up. Brand spankin' new pumps, competitive prices... now they just need some business!

I'll vouch for Spoonfed Photoshop Tutorials at psdtuts.com. Unfortunately, many tutorial sites that I've come across in the past run out of ideas and dry up pretty quickly. Hopefully this site keeps 'em coming... they provide a great work-day change-up.

Labels: vouchers

• On the tube, I've got to vouch for Lil' Bush. I think the voices clinched it for me (see Behind-the-Scenes clip).
  
  
• In my car, I'll vouch for the iCarPlay FM transmitter. When tuned to 106.3, I can scoot from Hanover to The Institute with clean SnyPod sound.
  
  
• In the kitchen, I'll vouch for Joe Corbi's Southwest Queso Kit. Many preparation options are highlighted, but this meal's best designed by MJ; first implementing the Queso Pizza solution, then adding her own flair, and finally rolling the whole thing up into a wrap.
  
  
• Web-wise, I'll vouch for SwitchPlanet. The concept is air-tight, but the interface and usability could be improved. Bonus points for the use of made up currency.
  
  
• In the playroom, Mallory will vouch for a wet washcloth, a wicker basket, a set of coasters and a 1/2 TSP measuring spoon. What is it about toys that kids just don't like?
  
  
• I hope to one day vouch for... setting my vinyl free. A tip of the hat to Old Man Kirby for passing along a link to the Ion USB Turntable.

Labels: MJ wants to be on my blog more, vouchers

Next time you're in Winchester, VA, be sure to swing by the new Foster's Grille at the Winchester Gateway. One-third owned by my sister and her husband, and one-third owned by my parents, I can unbiasedly (my gut tells me that's a word) vouch that it is too big for two hands. We traveled down last Sunday for the Grand Opening. I circled the fried chicken sandwich and it was like a new and improved Popeye's Po' Boy. Everyone really digs the fries. Nice atmosphere too.

Labels: Mallory, vouchers

• Smooth Jazz 92.7
  I recently discovered this station while reprogramming my car stereo. I like their blend of true jazz tracks and pop songs with jazz influence. Plus they had a Chill Hour last night - "chill" is a more electronic genre of jazz and I always like themed radio programming.
  » web site
  
  
• Trutech DVD Recorder
  I picked this up a few weeks ago so that I could transfer the movies I stored on my DVR to DVD. I could then clear the recorded movies off my DVR and load up some more before I lost my free movie channels. For $99, I figured if I successfully transferred 20 DVDs, it would already have paid for itself. Well, I'm getting close to 20 and have found the recorder to be fairly easy to use. The Trutech namebrand is prevalent at Target.
  » web site
  
  
• Dr. Pepper Berries & Cream
  The Dr. never disappoints. The original DP flavor may never be topped, but the Berries & Cream version is a more versatile can - one my wife and I can both agree on.
  » web site
  
  
• The Ellen Degeneres Show
  The past few week's rare exposure to daytime TV hasn't done much for me, but I must admit that the Ellen Degeneres Show is pretty entertaining.
  » web site
  

Labels: vouchers

Kellogg's Eggo Cereal
Reminiscent of the French Toast Crunch cereal, this new Eggo cereal from Kellogg's is a tasty way to start the day. Mr. Breakfast even wrote a poem about it.

Colgate Cinnamon Toothpaste
A burst of Cinnamon Spice will invigorate your mouth! It's true.

Coconut Ice Cream Cone at Mack's
I think this was the first that I've ever had coconut ice cream... not sure why its not more common. The cone at Mack's was really good, even if it's not listed on their website.

Labels: vouchers

... it's more than a coat factory. In fact, their current throwbacks rack may very well be the most impressive offering in department store history. As I browsed the rack last weekend, I saw:

Lafayette Lever College Jersey
This makes Burlington the #1 jersey source for all Fat Lever fans. I can't imagine that there are any, but a quick look at his career stats and there probably should be - how about his '88/'89 season of 20, 9 & 8?

Fennis Dembo College Jersey
Yes, the same Fennis Dembo that graced a Sports Illustrated cover in the late 80's. That really was his only claim to fame. Unless a Burlington shopper is 6'5", 280+ lbs and has been transplanted from Wyoming to Pennsylvania, this jersey won't leave the rack.

70's Era Julius Erving Sixers Jersey
Probably the greatest jersey on the rack, this style Sixers jersey just looks good. And Doctor J was at his finest in the 70s. They had a ton of these, so there might actually be some normal Med-XL sizes available.

80's Era Moses Malone Sixers Jersey
Moses' arrival to the Sixers in '83 translated into an NBA Championship, the last pro sports championship Philadelphia has won. He only spent 4 years in Philly, but the Burlington throwback rack is about quality, not quantity.

Reebok Throwback Eagles Jerseys - Randall Cunningham and Ron Jaworski
Not that either player ever wore jerseys like these in a game, but they are some cool looking throwbacks. Ol' #12 was more from my era of fandom, so I've always held him a notch or 2 above Jaws. But if you compare these 2 Bird QB's stats, the primes of their careers are strikingly similar. They both had equal numbers of seasons ranked in the NFL's top 10 in Pass Attempts (5), Passing Yards (5), and Passing Touchdowns (6).

Nice work Burlington Coat Factory!

Labels: NBA, nfl, vouchers

December 9th: Scottie Pippen's jersey was retired and sent to the rafters during halftime of the Bulls/Lakers game. I watched the ceremony online the following day... kudos to Doug Collins for well-done videotaped congrats. Thumbs down to Phil "I remember the migraines against Detroit" Jackson and Michael "Scottie always had my back" Jordan for their sloppy live efforts, but it was cool that everyone showed up.

December 11th: I missed the Eagles game but it sounds like they gave the Giants all they could handle. In other NFL action, the Bengals' lackluster performance against the Browns ended my Fantasy Football season. (P.S. Don't Forget - The Eagles took Freddie Mitchell 10 picks before the Bengals took Chad Johnson in the 2001 NFL Draft.) So long FFL 2005, I won't miss you!

December 12th: State Fair Corn Dogs... I'll vouch for that.

December 14th: Goodtime Ice is off to another great start against Upper Echelon in the Blades Of Steel Fantasy Hockey League. Could I have possibly assembled the most dominant fantasy hockey team ever? Furthermore, is there anything less impressive than assembling the most dominant fantasy hockey team ever?

December 15th: Randal's 180 in the final hour of The Apprentice not only jilted Rebecca, but the entire 4th season of the show. Trump wanted to hire them both... since when does Trump not do what Trump wants to do? Oh yeah, that's right, he had good reason... it's The Apprentice, not The Apprenti!

December 16th: Sign me up for The Colbert Report's "The Campaign Against Humbuggery: The War on Holiday". Its time to take a stand, and stop dragging "Holiday" through the mud.

December 17th: Whitey drops 53 points in 40 minutes in our final church league game of 2005. We were shorthanded and had to go with 4 players against 5, but the Energizer bunny just kept plugging away and lighting up the scoreboard. If I would have glanced at that very scoreboard once in awhile, we might have won the game... but that's a different story.

December 18th: Birds Win! Birds Win! Once again I missed the game, but it was nice to hear that the Eagles triumphed in a rematch of the 2001 NFC Championship game. RB Ryan Moats had the highlight run, but you still have to consider that he gained 19 yards total on his 11 other carries. In other NFL news, says here that "Rex Grossman's rescue effort elevated him back to starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears". Hmmm... Rex entered the game with a 6-3 Chicago lead and the Bears won 16-3. Nice work, uhhh, Rex?

Labels: Eagles '05, Pip, tv, vouchers

• Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce
• Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper
• Buffalo Chicken Subway Sub

Labels: vouchers

Colgate 360 Toothbrush
The unique tongue cleaner (which I say doubles as an inside-the-mouth scraper), the special bristle design, the soft polishing cups... I'll vouch for that.
colgate360.com

Chips Ahoy! Chewy Snack 'N Seal
It's the old "why didn't they think of that sooner?" It's a convenient, stay fresh package... I'll vouch for that.
See Snack 'N Seal in action

Labels: vouchers