July 2011
32 posts
“…you’ve reduced a human being to eating a Famous Bowl…”
– Patton Oswalt
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The Reaction: McDonald's Cutting Portion Size of...
McDonald’s recently announced their Happy Meals would no longer include 2.4 ounces of fries, but would scale back to 1.1 ounces. How do you gents weigh in on this shift?
(Click READ MORE for the Dispatch’s responses)
Grant: Our country has a fat problem—there is no disputing that. Despite years of trying to combat the reputation, McDonald’s has managed to remain our...
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Now Hear This: Another Star Burned Out
Another Star Burned Out
I can’t say the news surprised me. In fact, when I read the headline that Amy Winehouse had died, I actually nodded to myself and thought “Yeah, that sounds about right.” And when I was done, I couldn’t help but feel dirty for that inclination, for the simple fact that it seemed obvious to me that this public figure has perished at the hands of her own...
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Margin Notes: A Dance With Dragons
George R.R. Martin’s A Dance with Dragons
The Quote: “Words are wind.”
Margin Notes:
Perhaps one of my favorite parts of George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series is the way he has all of these little bits of folk wisdom/cliches that his characters like to use. It’s one of many touches that makes his fictional world feel more like a real place with deep...
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On The Move: Destination Koh Phangan, Thailand
Destination Koh Phangan, Thailand
It’s a country shrouded in mystery. A land with an ancient feeling in its air, so rich it’s palpable. Thailand is a nation unlike any I’ve seen before and for the past two weeks, I have had the pleasure of spending my time on a remote island in the Gulf of Thailand known as Koh Phangan.
The island itself is fairly famous and possibly for all...
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On the Menu: Gus & Gus Place, Rehoboth Beach
Gus & Gus Place, Rehoboth Beach
There is something to be said about food that comes from a griddle that is decades old. Whatever comes off of it is enhanced by the grease, spices, and onions of not only the day, but years past. This is only one of the reasons why I go back to Gus & Gus Place on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk time after time.
Yeah, sure, the cheese steaks are dripping,...
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The Reaction: If You Could Go Back In Time...
If you could go back in time and stop anyone from being born, who would it be?
(Click Read More to see the Dispatch’s reaction.)
Jared: Tough one. Most of the obvious answers give us so much mirth that I wouldn’t want to rid the world of them. Kim Jung Il’s pajamas, Hitler’s mustache. Even Caligula’s life could make Jenna Jameson blush. So, if I had to stop anyone...
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On The Menu: Top Chef Bottoms Out
Top Chef Bottoms Out
Top Chef is one of cable TV’s most successful institutions, it’s viewers—me included—tuning in season after season to watch these budding culinary stars whip up some of the most masterful meals we have ever seen, occasionally having to pat at the pools of drool gathered upon our envious lips.
Living in Washington DC, I’m lucky enough to have several of...
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Now Hear This: Harry Potter and the Unknown Future
Harry Potter and the Unknown Future
The tale of Harry Potter has reached its cinematic conclusion. So, barring the inevitable broadway musicals, the franchise isn’t going to be drawing any fresh air anytime soon. Despite every Potter fan’s desperate attempt to put a positive spin on Rowling’s new Pottermore endeavor, they’re covering up deep disappointment. What might...
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The Letterpress: Zeitoun And The Shame of A Nation
Zeitoun And The Shame of A Nation
We all remember the images of Katrina: the second story windowsills working as tidal markers, the small water-crafts cruising down the boulevard’s that had been occupied by cars a week before. The bodies. God, how we all remember seeing the bodies. Face down, face up. Faceless.
And as the tidal drift of the years wash away these memories, eroding the...
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On The Menu: Dogfish Head Brew Pub, Rehoboth Beach
On the Menu: Dogfish Head Brew Pub, Rehoboth Beach
All you West Coasters out there, this one’s for you. We know that Dogfish brews get some nice acclaim out your way, since you’re all awash in grassy-noted IPAs. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is the home of the original Dogfish brewpub and the freshest kegs of their fine beers. On a Friday night, expect to find the bar area filled to standing room...
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The Reaction: Board Games
My friend says that boardgames are lame. Where do you guys stand?
(Click READ MORE to see The Dispatch’s response.)
Jared: Your friend is lame. You haven’t lived until you’ve played strip Chutes And Ladders, or gotten into a knife fight over a questionable Parcheesi roll. Had a buddy lose an eye once over a pair of fives. Dicey, that game. Dicey. In short, board games can be...
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Now Hear This: Sometimes It's Better to Go at It...
Sometimes It’s Better To Go At It Alone
It was only a few weeks ago that I was at a random party (the typical type—bustling with a variety of spirits and small talk) and while chatting with a few friends, one of them moaned “I just feel soa-lone.” That particular person had recently broken up with their significant other and was going through a bit of a rough patch in finding a direct...
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Now Hear This: The Right to (Grizzly) Bear Arms
Now Hear This: The Right to (Grizzly) Bear Arms
Every year we get hit with a news story that gets treated like it’s the most shocking thing in the world. It isn’t about lying politicians, or cheating politicians, or drug-abusing politicians. Now go back and replace the word “politicians” with “celebrities.” I’m not talking about those stories, either...
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Now Hear This: I'm Dropping The F-Bomb
I’m Dropping The F-Bomb
It’s a dirty word that I’ve avoided using up until just recently. It’s always served itself like a cancer upon my ears; something heinous, something awful. When other people said it, I scoffed. When they directed it towards me, I was scorned. But alas, I’m afraid I have to admit the plain and simple fact that I can no longer avoid saying the...
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The Mix Tape: Scars on 45 - Give Me Something EP
Scars on 45
Give Me Something EP
From the first few electronic blips and bleeps of the title track, “Give Me Something”, I knew that every note that followed would sweep me along. Everything in the mix is spot on, from the sparse brushes of lead guitar to the hushed ambient warbles to the way the song is stripped down and built back up starting at the two minute mark. Lyrically,...
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THE REACTION: Axe Body Spray
Can either of you guys explain the popularity of Axe body spray?
(Click “Read More” to see The Dispatch’s reaction)
Grant: That stuff is awful. Awful. The quality of a cologne is directly correlated with the price. So when you buy $3 cologne, you smell like $3 dollar cologne: cheap and easily replaceable. I guess their marketing team deserves some praise for managing to...
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cutie-aoide asked: *gives you a kiss*
Happy National Kiss Day. :3
Happy National Kiss Day. :3
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On The Menu: The Greatest Brewery In The World
The Greateast Brewery In The World
Those who know me know that I’m a fan of beer. In fact, as I write this, I’m sipping on a hoppy summertime ale from Lagunitas Brewery called Little Sumpin Sumpin. (I like to tell myself that I only drink so that I can write—the way that Hemingway did it.) And while I will admit that there is a time and a place for Bud heavy or a Corona, I prefer...
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Channel Surfing: Gearing Up for Entourage Season 8
Gearing Up for Entourage Season 8
Knowing that Entourage was set to enter its final run this summer, I have played a lot of catch up over the past six months. Seven seasons’ worth of catch-up, to be exact. It’s been a lot of fun watching the highs and lows of Vincent Chase’s acting career and the way his brother and friends have to adapt along the way. Every episode has been solid—and I mean...
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Now Hear This: Nice Guys Change Your Tune. You...
Nice Guys, Change Your Tune. You Ladies, Too.
Her name was Tien and though it’s been a few years, I still remember thinking that she was beautiful—like out of my league ten times over beautiful. So, years ago, when she called me up one night to hang out—more specifically to come crash at my place—I thought nothing of it. I was delighted at the opportunity to have her over, but was...
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On the Menu: Tommy Marcos' Original Ledo...
The Original Ledo Restaurant
College Park, MD
If you’re somewhere near the South-Eastern U.S. coast, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the Ledo Pizza franchise. The pies are rectangular, the crust is thin, and the pepperoni is cut thick. What you may not know is that one of the founders of Ledo, Tommy Marcos, held onto his original restaurant when others decided to...
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The Reaction: Desert Island Wishes
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
(Click “Read More” to see The Dispatch’s answer. ALSO: If you have a Reaction question for us, send it our way using the Ask Me A Question link up top.)
Jared: I actually had to research this one. I wasn’t sure if Jessica Alba had a sister or not, but the Gods at Google tell me...
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