Is it okay to be laughing at this?

Link is here.

Either the funniest or most terrifying video of the day.  I’m going to cross my fingers and hope for the former.

Heat Treatment

What I’m Liking: Gran-Daddy’s BBQ

Moved into better 23rd St. digs not too long ago. They’re now Jimmy John’s former spot at the little strip next to the soon-vacating Burger King – that retail center which will always be known to me as where Streetside Records was for years.

I am not a BBQ expert. I avoid the ongoing internet BBQ wars. Not that I’m without opinion, as the correct regional rankings OBVIOUSLY go 1) Okie Joe’s, 2) everyone else. (This will not be debated!) Wait, no…I kid. It’s not my bag. BBQ is low on my list of meals I’m usually begging for anyway. And I don’t have strong opinions.

I do, though, think it’s unfortunate that Lawrence has had such a dismal run BBQ options in the twenty-plus years I’ve lived here, especially with KC so close-by. But again, I’ll save my ranting for things I really care about. Like pizza. And juicers. (Have I mentioned I bought a juicer yet?)

So really, when we do choose some smoked meats/sandwiches, convenience and value are priorities, right up there with taste. Stace and I miss Vermont St. and await its return. We also aren’t offended by either Biemer’s or Bigg’s. But Gran-Daddy’s has become our go-to, especially for carryout. The interior is still basically a Jimmy John’s…and it’s fine for a casual meal.

From all its iterations, including N. Lawrence and 19th & Haskell (more?) they’ve had a great reputation. But I didn’t frequent any of those often. I spent time living downtown as a single guy for years and those locations were off my radar. My loss. But now as I’ve ventured to a more stable (sedate, boring…whatever you’d like) western-Larry existence, I certainly understand that there’s more to town than what’s between 6th and 10th on Mass. And with a local shop like this, I really hope this 23rd St. location is working well for them. Because I’m guessing that a coveted Mass St. spot actually isn’t. I’m guessing they have a better opportunity to thrive here without that rent burden.

But I digress…

The smoked meats always taste great. We usually get simple sandwich orders. I understand “Da Bomb” is something we need to at least try sometime. We’re simple folk, I guess. I can’t speak to the ribs, as that isn’t my thing. His sauce is great, though. Different than the regional norm – more of a vinegary/Carolina sauce (right?). I love it, even if I can’t perfectly identify it. Sauce is, after all, like art and wine: I know what I like.

Good value – we usually are all three contently fed for under $20. We’ve also had them prepare large orders for parties (I hate cooking for more than 4-6 people) and found their catering prices to be very reasonable, with great feedback on the food from guests.

Nice people. Pleasant family-owned business. I hope for their continued success. (Cause I’m hungry now thinking about it.)

How my hair look, Mike?

Movie-a-Week: Hey, I think I’m done

With the details surely the makes of a longer, less-interesting post sometime, Stace and I fired up a Netflix account again about a month ago. So, access to movies of all types just became a lot easier. It also not only ended this year-long exercise, but probably erased its value as well. I mean, the point was that with an obstacle like having to FIND a movie to watch (as well as put a kid to sleep and the fact that I’m kind of a picky SOB), I was never watching movies. As you all know, Netflix streaming takes care of finding a movie. (Not “finding a good movie,” but that’s another discussion – there’s always a movie waiting right there).

So here’s a short list of what I wrapped the year up with. Netflix members understand why it’s a doc-heavy tally – that’s where their inventory’s best gems live. This list doesn’tt include my 27th viewing of “Midnight Run,” which I’m smack in the middle of while typing this. And by the way, why are you so unpopular with the Chicago Police department?…

Freakonomics (imdb.com)

A collection of shorts, all inspired by the book of the same name. Fun doc focusing on divergent thinking and how we often misinterpret data.

Super High Me (imdb.com)

I think Doug Benson is one of the smarter comics out there, and his “Doug Loves Movies” podcast is a fixture on my phone. While I liked the movie, I’ll admit that I’ve avoided it for a while because the pot schtick is (in my opinion) pretty cliche and keeps him penned in. That said, it’s an interesting topic that he handles with both goof and seriousness in the film. As things seem to move a little quicker these days, it seemed dated even though just four years old. For whatever that’s worth.

Dominick Dunne: After the Party (imdb.com)

And here’s the biggest danger with Netflix. I have no idea why I watched this. I barely knew who he was before clicking on it – nothing more than “that guy during the OJ trial.” He’s an interesting dude and his story is compelling. (Then again, who’s isn’t. We’re still only a few years away from every human over 45 getting his own documentary, right? And everyone under 45 gets their own reality show.)

Tales From the Script (imdb.com)

Could have used a more discriminating editor, as you really have to care about the topic to sit through this many interview clips, but it’s a great look at the profession of screenwriting. From the mouths of an abundance of them, including some of the best like Ron Shelton and Paul Schrader (pictured). Their descriptions of the obstacles that occur between paper and screen – you wonder how any movie actually ever gets made. (Or how any GOOD movie gets made.)

And here are a few I’ve watched w/out the aid of Netflix…

True Grit (imdb.com)

It got enough attention during award season that I don’t think I need to sing its praises. I was mildly disappointed, frankly. It lacked some elements that I (probably unfairly) expected. But it’s a good film. Where does it rank amongst Coen Bros. films? That might need be its own post someday.

The Mechanic (imdb.com)

As far as unapologetic action movies go, it’s fast-paced and smart enough. I enjoyed it.

Limitless (imdb.com)

As far as unapologetic thriller movies, it’s slow and way too dumb. Maybe record-setting dumb. Award-winning dumb. Should probably specifically be noted for its one awesomely-bad hero-escape-danger sequence. I won’t give it away, but when he’s laying on the floor, about to get shot and you see a bad-guy’s blood headed his way – feel free to start groaning, early and loud.

++++++++++++++++

Alright, thanks for indulging me this last year. Not sure what we accomplished. I watched more movies, especially more bad movies, than usual. So there’s that. Might we’ll just keep the “Movie-a-week” name around and I’ll continue this narcissistic “I bet you wanna know what movie I watched while you went out and had a life” silliness.

Now, back to “Midnight Run.” Relax Sidney. Make yourself a sandwich, drink a glass of milk…do some f#%@ing thing.

5-Second Films

I’m probably the last man on the internet to find this site, but it makes me laugh.  It also disturbs me, as we’ve decided that even an extra 15 seconds for a joke’s setup is way too long for our normal ADD’ed viewer.

But it still makes me laugh.  Watching the videos on their site and using the arrows to advance is quick and mind-numbingly fun. So, nice job dudes who want want to both entertain and make us even more impatient.

Oh, and bosses, I’m not opening this page at all this morning.  Nope.