Task 37 – “Captain America” Movie Review

(37) Watch 26 Movies (13/26)

Movie: Captain America

Rating: 3-Stars

It is 1942, America is at war with the German’s, and a scrawny but determined Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is frustrated at being rejected repeatedly for military service. Everything changes when Dr. Erksine (Stanley Tucci) recruits him for a secret Super Soldier Project. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is assigned to Rogers to help him through the process and to keep an eye on him. He proves his extraordinary courage, wits and conscience to everyone around him including a skeptical Colonel Philips (Tommy Lee Jones) Rogers undergoes the experiment and his weak body is suddenly enhanced into the maximum human potential.

At the end of the transformation Dr. Erksine is immediately assassinated by an agent of Nazi Germany's secret HYDRA research department lead by Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) who was a previous experiment of Dr. Erksine gone wrong. Unable to reproduce the serum used to create Rogers new body the government uses Rogers as a propaganda tool rather than the ultimate fighter he was born to be.  

However, when his comrades need him, Rogers goes on a successful but unsanctioned rescue mission that truly makes him Captain America and he earns his way into the hearts and souls of every American, bringing hope and justice to a war-weary nation. It is also the beginning of his war against his arch enemy Schmidt. Schmidt has some tricks of his own as he has found the “power source of the gods” and he has figured out how to harness that power with the help of Dr. Zola (Toby Jones).

Captain America begins a series of affronts to knock our each of Schmidt’s weapons factories and to kill Schmidt. At the final confrontation Schmidt and Rogers find themselves flying towards New York City in a plane filled with bombs. Captain America sacrifices himself to stop Schmidt and winds up frozen in ice for almost six decades! When discovered Steve Rogers is revived and find himself in the present day and now must join forces with new heroes and become an Avenger of the modern age.

Task 25 – Nicks Comedy Stop, Boston

(25) A live Comedy show.

Venue: Nick’s Comedy Stop

Rating: 3-Star

This past Saturday night I enjoyed some great laughs’ at Nick’s Comedy Stop in Boston.  Making reservations wasn’t easy to do and it took 4 calls/voice mails before getting a call back. The night got off to a great start however when I scored a perfect parking spot right around the corner from the venue that cost 1$.  Combined with the Groupon discount tickets the night looked promising.

The interior is small and intimate and there are bars on either side of the seating area.  The seats were all folding chairs and I got the impression that after the show it doubled as night club. That would explain the awning over the door having a different name on it.  

When I made the reservations we were told that the doors opened at 7:45 and it was best to get there early to get a good seat. Sure enough we had our pick of seats and selected two seats on the isle 4 rows from the front dead center.  Just far enough back to stay clear of any audience participation but close enough to really enjoy.  I was glad to have picked my seats because the columns really made it tough for those seats on the side. The seats were packed tightly together on the main floor with not a whole lot of space for an aisle. Thankfully I was on the aisle and had a pretty small person next to me. As a result I didn’t feel too cramped for space. I don’t think I would have liked being sandwiched in the middle.

A very friendly waitress took our drink order and served us quickly.  The place filled up very quickly and by 8:00 it seemed to be near capacity.

We had bought tickets for advertised headliner Mike Whitman but after a few intro comics we got to Mike. He wasn’t up there very long before they were introducing the headliner as Lisa Landry.  I am glad that she was the headliner as the previous few comics were not that funny.  They all seemed to tell the same joke with a small variation and they all took to the easy topic of gay marriage. Sadly none of the jokes were that funny.

The headliner, Lisa Landry on the other hand was a riot. She didn’t pick any one thing to focus her entire routine on and kept the audience involved. Most of her jokes focused on her own experiences and I have always said if you can’t make fun of yourself you shouldn’t make fun of others. She did both like a true professional and involved the audience in a tasteful but raunchy way.  Her mix of redneck and white trash humor kept me on the edge of my seat and in near tears from laughing so hard.

I was still laughing at the end until I got the check. The drinks prices sober you right up and leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.  7$ for a corona and 10$ for a watered mixed down drink. The fact that they charge such ridiculous prices is a joke. I would recommend the Comic Lisa Landry but I would advise you to skip the drinks at the club.

Task 9 - Hampton Beach

(09) Visit 5 new beaches. (1/5)

Beach:         Hampton Beach

Location:     Hampton Beach, NH 03842

Rating: êêê

Who chooses to go to Hampton Beach on the hottest day of the year so far. Well I guess I do. With the anticipated crazy hot 3 digit temperatures I decided to take a Friday vacation day and enjoy the cold water and hot sand of Hampton Beach. The weather didn’t disappoint and the car said it was 108 degrees. I have been to Hampton Beach before several times while in college but never to enjoy the beach but rather the unique crowd and shows at the Hampton Beach Ballroom and boardwalk.

After a late start we arrived just in time to pick out a small patch of sand to claim as our own on the desert like sand before we enjoyed lunch at the Boardwalk Café. We enjoyed a mix of sweat and seafood as we ate on the open deck of the restaurant enjoying the view of the beach. I ordered the clam strips and they were amazing light and crispy and they were accompanied with french fries and an icy cold Coke. If it wasn’t for the ice cold coke I might have melted on the spot it was so hot.

After a tasty lunch I realized I wasn’t going to survive in the sun without an umbrella to block out some of the intense sun. We stopped at one of the many shops along Ocean Blvd and picked up some cheap but perfect umbrellas to keep us cool. As soon as my bare feet touched the sand I knew that was the right decision it was blisteringly hot.

After about 30 minutes of baking on our beach towels like peanut butter cookies we both decided that we had better cool off in the Atlantic. The 10 yard trip from our towels to the water was not a pleasant experience. I am sure I burned the bottom of both my feet. Once my toes hit the water I knew it was going to cool me off fast and I swear my feet froze in the icy water.  The temperature of the ocean took my breath away as I quickly dunked my whole body to cool off but it was a perfect way to beat the summer heat. We repeated this same routine several times and after about 2 hours we decided we had had enough. Our bottle water was now nearly boiling and no longer refreshing and we both were not enjoying our rowdy new beach neighbors.

They had positioned themselves about 2 feet from our towels and began having loud conversations on their cell phones and with each other about things that shouldn’t be shared with those you don’t know or discussed in a public forum. With miles of beach I couldn’t understand why they set up next to us.

We quickly made our way back to the boardwalk and washed our feet with the hot bottled water for the short walk back to our parking spot. Sadly I have no pictures since I left the phone in the car not wanting to get it all sandy or leave it unattended when I went in the water. It was however a great day with awesome company and perfect weather.

Task 96 - Mountain Bike 10 Times

(96) Go mountain biking 10 times (1/10)

Location:   Marlborough, MA

Distance:   4.75 Miles

Time:         30 Minutes

Having not gone trail riding in years and knowing I wasn’t in the same physical condition as I used to be when we went daily I was skeptical that such a hot day was a wise choice to go out. However even though the temperature was 95+ and there was heat advisories telling everyone to stay inside I promised my brother I would go mountain biking with him and so we did. I took as much water with me as I could and filled my bottle with ice to keep it cool. I made sure to dress with no cotton’s hoping it would keep me cool. As we started along the road and I was instantly a puddle of sweat, the humidity was brutal. When we finally reached the trail we would take I got a reprieve from the blisteringly hot sun under the dense canopy of trees. While mostly downhill the loose rock from the dry ground made the trail challenging.  The trail lead us to a clearing for the power lines and we followed that clearing a good distance almost entirely uphill where I could barely keep up and struggled to catch my breath. We finally cut through someone’s yard to get to the road. Unsure of where we were we wandered down the road hoping to recognize something. Finally we found Sudbury Street and knew how to get home. We didn’t take the most direct route since my He-Man of a brother wanted to challenge us. We cut through neighborhood after neighborhood until finally I recognized my brother’s neighborhood. Thankful to get back I realized I had yet to catch my breath as the heat and the uphill peddling sucked every ounce of strength from me.

After some AC and fresh ice water I was back to normal and was thankful I went. Hopefully we can make this a more regular activity.



Roof Rack Disasters

This week I have witnessed the results of an improperly installed roof rack too many times.  An improperly attached roof rack can damage your car, the cargo, the rack itself and anyone caught up in the flying debris.  It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when installing a roof rack no matter which vendor you choose.

It is also important to secure the cargo properly to ensure that the least amount of drag is placed on the roof rack. Kayaks seem to be the most common culprit in the unexpected flight of a roof rack. Most people seem to just toss the kayak’s on their roof rack and tie a rope around it. Before I talk about how to secure your cargo let’s talk about the rack itself.

There are several things you need to consider before packing up your gear. First what is the maximum load of a roof rack; second how well the roof rack is attached and if it’s been up there for a while have you check to make sure it’s still tightly secured.

You can find out the maximum load for your car and roof rack from the manufacturer. I drive a VW GTI with a Thule roof rack and it has a maximum load of 130lbs. This means I can carry at a max two Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Kayaks (45lbs each) and 1 Iron Horse Maverick Mtn Bike (29lbs), which I do often.

I always install the roof rack per the manufacturer’s instructions utilizing my car’s built in roof rack mount’s. Once installed I make sure the rack is tightly attached to my car by pulling on the roof rack and making sure I rock the car not the rack. It shouldn’t budge. Check this before putting any cargo on the roof each time. If it has loosened tighten it first.

Once you are comfortable with the installation of the roof rack you must load your cargo securely and safely. I recommend using the manufacturer’s accessories. Thule offers great products for all types of cargo. I use the Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port for the kayaks and the Thule 599XTR Big Mouth for the bike. This way you can be sure that they are properly attached to the rack.  Each comes with all the things needed to secure your cargo.

I want to talk a little bit more about Kayak’s and how to properly attach them. Make sure they are centered on the roof, you do not want them to far back or two far forward. Next using 2 Thule 521 Load Straps (Comes with the Hull-a-Port) tighten the kayak to the rack around both bars. Each kayak should have two straps. Make sure they are tight you do not want the kayak to move during transport.  The next step is very important and usually forgotten to skipped. You should secure the kayaks bow and stern (front & back) to the car and not the rack. I use the Thule 855XT Quick Draw (Comes with the Hull-a-Port) This will help keep the front of the kayak tight and prevent any sudden updraft of air from lifting the kayak and the roof rack off the car.

Below are two pictures of what happens when you improperly secure your roof rack and cargo.

 





Task 30 – Nudo Gelateria

(30) Eat in 10 New Restaurants (13/20)

Restaurant: Nudo Gelateria

Website:      http://www.getnudo.com/

Original Rating: 3-Stars
Updated Rating: 4-Stars

I have walked by Nudo many times but hadn’t stopped by until recently.

The store front is modern and trendy and it’s obvious they wanted to create an upscale alternative in the neighborhood.  The interior is fresh, clean and bright but limited space for customer’s to enjoy their food. 

I was presently surprised with the great selection of flavors, over 20. The flavors include lemon, coconut, cappuccino, stracciatella, hazelnut, raspberry, pistachio, nudo and zabrione, just to name a few.  I noticed that they also serve panini’s and salads.  I only tried the Gellato during this visit and sampled several of the unusual flavors before settling on zabrione. It was very refreshing and that’s a challenge when this rich flavor tasted like eggnog.  

The three size offerings are too close to each other given the difference in price.  They should maybe offer only two sizes, small and large.  I would also suggest they not just fill the cup to the top and stop but give a little extra with the pricing as it is. People want to feel they are getting a good value and not an exact measurement. Charging extra for sprinkles (jimmies) and whip cream is a bit nickel and dime and not worth the extra money.

Will I go back? Sure because the gelato was very good and I likes the more up-scale environment but I am not sure with the limited menu offerings and steep pricing that they will make it through a long cold winter.  It should be two stars but I give it three stars because of the great potential! Hopefully they can perfect their menu, pricing and increase their offerings.
 

**** UPDATE 7/31 ****
Today I returned to Nudo for some gellato and was served by the owner a portion that was overflowing the cup it was served in.  I definitely felt I was served a portion that warrented the steep price. He also was much more friendly then the previous person and offered me many samples of the unique flavors and made recommendations on what to try. I was not only impressed with him but the improvements from our previous visit. I am upgrading the rating from three stars to four.

Task 38 – St Mary of Carmen Festival & Parade, Newton, MA

(38) Visit 10 Festivals of Fairs (01/20)

Festival:      St Mary of Carmen
Location:     Hawthorn & Pellegrini Park’s

                    Newton, MA

When:         July 13 – 17, 2011

Rating: ê

This past weekend I enjoyed the St. Mary of Carmen Festival in the Nonantum neighborhood of Newton, MA known as The Lake.

The carnival like atmosphere was thanks to Fiesta Shows was enjoyable but overpriced.  Many of the rides were clearly past their prime with rust and peeling paint. The tickets were grossly overpriced and the rides required too many tickets. $6.25 per person to go on a ride is way too much and I opted to pass.

The food was typical carnival with fried dough and french-fries to Greek gyro’s. What it seemed to be lacking was true Italian food. There were really only 2 booths that had such offerings. The one I choose DePasquale’s Sausages which was outside the park. DePasquales’ sweet sausage with peppers and onions was very tasty but a bit dry. That was expected given the outdoor grill and quantity being turned quickly for the long lines. They also offered fresh squeezed lemonade that complimented the tasty sausage sandwich.

This festival is clearly a neighborhood event and really only services those living in walking distance or nearby. Parking was impossible and the crowds were thick.

The Parade/Procession was a bit of a letdown as well. It was poorly organized and seemed focused more on the ringing bell being towed by a truck and the lighting of fireworks than anything else. The North End Marching Band did a nice job but was interrupted to regularly to light off more fireworks. The Mary Mother of Jesus statue seemed precariously perched on a rolling cart that seemed unsteady and in adequate and was being pushed by some of the older members instead of the young guys who seemed to focused on chatting and selling pins.

In summary it was an interesting even but isn’t worth the crowds for the overpriced rides, carnival food and lack luster procession. This is a PASS.



Task 30 – Restaurant Review: Ginger Root

(30) Eat in 10 New Restaurants (12/20)

Restaurant: Ginger Root

Rating: 3-Stars

I wouldn’t pick Ginger Root if you are expecting a fancy Chinese restaurant. I would however recommend Ginger Root for anyone wanting good fresh food with excellent attentive service.

I selected the General Gau’s chicken with fried rice and a double order of Crag Rangoon. The Crab Rangoon were very tasty and you could see the crab inside They were light and very crunchy. The fried rice wasn’t as fresh as I would have liked but it too had great flavor and was full of extra’s. The General Gau’s chicken was delicious. It was clearly fresh and the batter was surprisingly light. The sauce was perfect and not over done.

The interior does leave something to be desired.  It was simple and uninspired but I wasn’t there for fancy I was there for tasty and inexpensive. It met both of my requirements for a quick and satisfying lunch.



Task 30 – Som Siam East, Guilford, CT

(30) Eat in 10 New Restaurants (11/20)

Restaurant: Som Siam East

Rating: 3-Stars

Som Siam East is a hidden jewel in the heart of the quaint sea side town of Guilford, CT. They have a sister location in Old Saybrook, CT. It can be found just off the beaten path from the town green down a little alley way along the main road.

The interior is intimate and fills the interior of a small house. It has maybe 8 tables total and is surprisingly quiet.  The reasonably inexpensive lunch specials a soup or salad and a small desert with each entrée.

They have the best Thai iced tea. It was just the right amount of condensed milk to compliment the flavorful Thai tea & perfect on a hot summer day after a long walk around the town green.

I selected the peanut salad and Dan selected the rice noodle soup to start. The salad was fresh and tasty and just the right size. The soup was flavorful and surprisingly packed with ingredients.

For my entrée I selected the Pad See-Ew (Pan fried flat rice noodles in a sweet soy sauce with egg, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and your choice of meat).  My lunch partner selected the Red Curry (Red Curry Spices, cooked in a coconut milk with bamboo shoot, carrots, pineapple, fresh zucchini and basil, lime leaves, and again your choice of meat). We both opted for the chicken but had the options of vegetable, tofu, beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, duck, or seafood/fish.

The Pad See-Ew was very similar to Pad Thai except with larger flat rice noodles and packed with more vegetable varieties. The sauce was flavorful and light compared to the heavier noodles. Dan’s Red Curryt was just spicy enough to enjoy without sending you racing to the water. It was paired with white sticky rice and served separately to prevent it from becoming soggy. We both enjoyed our entrées and will definitely be back.

Our desert was a tapioca pudding. It wasn’t like any I had had before it was not creamy like traditional tapioca. It was also mixed with corn which created a sweet and salty flavor that was nice. Definitely was different. I would have liked mango in place of the corn in the tapioca.

2011 Sailfest Fireworks

This year I again went to New London, CT with my family to watch the 2011 Sailfest Fireworks. The fireworks are presented by the Grucci Family. They are known as America’s First Family of Fireworks. They are also the Guiness Book of World Record holders for the biggest firework display . It was awarded to them after the firework display for the Grand Opening of the Atlantis and the Palm – Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE. They are also known for their Fourth of July fireworks in New York City. The fireworks in New London/Groton, CT were sponsored by the The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

I watched them while perched on the hill of Fort Trumbull in New London Connecticut. I uploaded the video I took to youtube and it can be watched below.