Burger #1: Simmzy's Burger (Tin Roof Bistro)

In Regards to Thing #4 ("The Edible Thing")


Location: Tin Roof Bistro; Manhattan Beach, CA
Burger: Simmzy's Burger
Price: $9.75 (+$2.00 for fries)
Companions: The Rapp/Hogwarts Creative Crew (Brandon, Lauren, Diori, and Flo) 
Menu Description: Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, Sweet Onion Chow Chow, Aioli
Opinion: Simmzy's is a burger place in downtown Manhattan Beach, so I'm not sure what affiliation exists between them and Tin Roof Bistro that allows for placement of their burger on the TRB menu.  Anyway, it was okay for a basic burger (although I did order it medium, and it a bit on the rare side).  Despite the fancy description, you had burger, bun, cheddar, grilled onions, lettuce, and tomato.  There wasn't a ton of "fill your mouth with flavor" goodness, though...you basically ended up with a mouthful of messy burger, with a slight onion-y overtone.  I did, however, take a look at the broader Simmzy's menu, and may have to check that location out sometime soon.
Rating (1-10): 4

Ground Rules and Ground Beef

In Regards to Thing #4: "The Edible Thing"


Been hashing this out with some co-workers, so I figured I should lay out some ground rules to guide my search for the ultimate burger.

• #1: No more than two burgers per week, except under special circumstances (e.g. vacations)
• #2: Sliders do not count as burgers...but meat substitutes do (e.g. turkey, ostrich, veggie)
• #3: Although one overall burger shall be the winner, other sub-categories can be discovered/developed over time as the year progresses, and category winners may emerge
• #4: I shall attempt to photograph each burger consumed, and shall post it along with a standard array of "burger stats and ratings" (which still need to be determined)

That's it for now...

Thing #4: "The Edible Thing"

Okay, the first several "Things" that I've decided to tackle are all pretty much hard work and focused on making myself a better person.  Time to switch gears for a bit and focus on new experiences and fun things.  Which I guess will also make me a better person.  And what better way to start off than by pitting "Things" against each other.  Sorry, Thing #1, but it's time for...

Thing #4 (aka "The Edible Thing"): Find the best damn burger out there.

I figure for something like this, I do need to lay down a few ground rules (see, Thing #1...I'm lookin' out for ya).  But I'll save that for a later post.

Bagel Friday. Dammit.

In Regards to Thing #1: "The Obvious Thing"


Ah...forgot that this happened every Friday at work.  Well, one more hurdle to face.  So far, I've successfully by-passed the temptation and enjoyed my "lite" breakfast sandwich.  But these things stick around all day, so I still have about 8 hours to remain strong.

(The asiago cheese bagel with sun-dried tomato cream cheese is particularly tasty.  Dammit.)

Berlitz vs. Rosetta Stone

In Regards to Thing #2: "The Lingual Thing"


I had a couple people recommend I check out Berlitz, for their language instruction course, rather than Rosetta Stone.  I have to say, after checking out both sites, I'm much more sold on RS.  I have a much clearer idea of what I'd be getting into, and their educational software seems to have had a lot of time put into its development.

Berlitz, on the other hand, seems to relegate their "self-study" software to a much more secondary role, placing greater emphasis on their live instructional classes (either face-to-face or via the internet).  Whether or not it's more or less effective, I'm much more drawn to the software approach, so I'm pretty damn close to pulling the trigger on this one.

And sorry nay-sayers...but I'm going with Japanese.

The Last Temptation of Curt

In Regards to Thing #1: "The Obvious Thing"


So, I'm sitting here at work, wrapping up a project...and thinking to myself, "Gee, I should try to put out another blog post before I take off.  And it's getting kind of late...should I try to hit the gym?"

Cue Neil.  Neil is one of the nicest guys in the office.  A copywriter who would give anyone the shirt off his own back.  Or, in this case, a spare McDonald's cheeseburger.

You see, Neil really likes his McDonald's, and always seem to have a spare burger on hand (I kid you not...every time I walk into his office there seems to be a burger on his desk).  And it was no different today.  Just as I was wondering what to write about (and with my stomach starting to growl), in he walks with a cheeseburger asking "Hey, are you still on your diet?  Do you want this?"

Yes, Neil.  And...yes.  Dammit.  But it's just one, right?  And I'm still going to the gym tonight...

Breakfast of Champions

In Regards to Thing #1: "The Obvious Thing"


So, just sitting down to my quickly nuked breakfast at work, and figured I should share what exactly I'm stuffing my piehole with.

In the past, when I wanted to eat healthy, I did a pretty consistent breakfast of two hard-boiled eggs (with the yolks removed), filled with a small sliver of roasted garlic and a little dollop of guacamole.  Add a little pepper on top, and BAM!...you've got a nice little low-cal breakfast.

This year, though, my breakfast so far has consisted of these low-calorie Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches.  Have been eating these turkey sausage and egg-white croissants that clock in at under 250 calories. With an overall daily goal of taking in fewer calories than I'm expending, so far I'm on track, and haven't felt unusually hungry.  Oh...and I also follow that up (if I remember to) with a small orange, only slightly larger than a golf ball.  And coffee, of course.