Campfire Fishing Rod

If there are two things you should know about me, here they are: 

1. I love grilled food.
2. I hate fire. (Really. I was forced to learn how to strike a match at age 21 when it became ridiculous that I hadn't learned already.) 

Now, with this knowledge in mind, I am the perfect candidate to own one of these guys. 

Campfire Fishing Rod!

If this looks as wonderful to you as it does to me, you can buy one for $29.95 over here. Just a great idea.

“Put a stereo or iPod dock permanently in your bathroom. Hearing music while showering will make that day 86% more lovely.”

— #lizadvice

Walking To The Crown of The Statue of Liberty

I have wanted to walk to the crown of The Statue of Liberty since I was a little girl. I literally was informed about what New York City was (when I was about... 8 years old, I'll say) - heard about this grand statue, and DREAMT about getting to be at the top of it one day. Why? 'Cause it seemed to symbolize so much about this incredible city that everyone around me seemed to love and talk about so much. 

It was closed for many years after September 11th, then re-opened right before Hurricane Sandy last year. It was open for three days before that storm shut it down again. It just re-opened last month, and I finally got to go up it yesterday. It was glorious. Not really life-altering glorious, but the kind of glorious that I've been anticipating for a very long time.  

You have the option of taking the stairs or an elevator to get to the platform (we opted elevator, since I wanted to save my legs for the stairs to the top). Once you get there, there's an entrance to the crown stairs (these are the tickets you need to buy in advance of even getting to Battery Park in Manhattan, days/months in advance), and then you proceed through the coolest, tiniest, at-some-points-darkest spiral staircase that leads you to the crown. These are not a lot of stairs. A few floors basically. I could do it without too much aggravation, and that's saying something. 

The crown itself holds less than ten people probably. I had no idea it would be that small, I thought I'd be able to roam freely and widely - not the case. That doesn't mean that it's not amazing, though, 'cause it really is. And honestly, I don't know why. Just felt cool as hell to be inside that lady. I would've paid $100 for that ticket, so I'm thankful the city of New York doesn't know that fact. 

All in all, I loved it. It's something I wanted to do for such a long time and I'm so glad it finally happened. For sure, it's maybe the most touristy thing you can do in New York - but so what?! Tourists are people, too! They came to see stuff, leave them alone and let them see it! God. Makes me so mad when people are all, "Ugh. Tourists." Get over yourself, bud. You're not better than anyone.

You can order crown tickets at statuecruises.com for $20 each. They make you pick a day and time when you buy the tickets, so have an idea of when you're coming. Also, make sure you go with someone who doesn't complain about lines (not long lines, but lines) and security and such 'cause this experience is RIPE with that stuff. Thankfully I went with someone laid back, normal and great - and that's how this event should be experienced (thanks, Nathan!), so keep that in mind. 

Poutine Pizza at Pizza Hut

The above is a photo of the Cheesy Beef Poutine Pizza from Pizza Hut (minus the beef and with extra fries) that I ordered at my parent's house in Mississauga, Ontario a few weeks ago. I'd been waiting a long time (two months) to finally try this bad boy. Verdict? Disappointing!  

Were my expectations high? God, yes! Was there any way that it could've been amazing? Probably not. But not because putting poutine on top of a pizza is a bad idea... moreso just because it was foolish for me to expect Pizza Hut to carefully concoct such a delicate Canadian creation.  

I was told that there would be gravy instead of pizza sauce. There was none (or none that my gentle eyes could detect). I was also told that actual Quebecois curds were being used, and not the generic Hut mozzarella. I was misinformed. 

Yes, maybe I shouldn't have made my substitutions (of the no beef and the added frie-age) , but am I not entitled to some actual deliverance of A POUTINE?! I think so. 

Honestly, the pizza wasn't terrible. I ate probably... three slices over the span of many hours. It was just dry as fuck. If anything, this whole experience has made me want to try and make my OWN version one day. You know, when I'm at a more stable point in my life and can undertake such a challenge. For now, though? I shall only express my disappointment.  

It was a courageous try, Pizza Hut. But please... you're embarrassing all Canadians by keeping that trash on your fine menu. Good day. 

(*EDIT NOTE: I just looked on their site and it's totally off the menu now. Either this blog post WORKED in the two seconds since I put it up, or the Hut really has a handle on things. Commendable.)

Her Trailer

Her - Spike Jonze

I feel like this could be really good.  

“A gentleman is simply a patient wolf.”

— Lana Turner

New Fries at Shake Shack

I know that I've already voiced my views on the burgers at Shake Shack (see here, for a refresher). But I just found out today that they're upgrading their fries. And that's post-worthy.

They used to look like this: 

And they've decided to change them to these:  

And this decision is glorious. They just announced the change today. Why am I writing about this? Well, I find it rare for a company to actually listen to their consumers when there's a valid, popular complaint. Those old fries can eat a dick! They were awful. This place is becoming unstoppable now. I'm kind of afraid almost. Cannot wait to try these. 

Bossypants By Tina Fey - A Review

I know that I'm about two years late in reviewing this, but I finally just got around to reading it only last night! I know... pathetic. Even my dad read it eons ago (though, to be fair, he's a much bigger Tina Fey fan than I am). I'm not even a busy person, so really there's no excuse for the lateness here. 

Thoughts & Parts I Loved

• Hearing the phrase "my thick virgin eyebrows" made me laugh for about three full minutes. 
•  "This is what I tell young women who ask me for career advice. People are going to try to trick you. To make you feel that you are in competition with one another. "You're up for a promotion. If they go with a woman, it'll be between you and Barbara." Don't be fooled. You're not in competition with other women. You're in competition with everyone."
• When talking about her experience on a cruise: "There are some wonderful Filipinos who fold your towels in the shape of a different animal every night. It might be an elephant wearing your sunglasses, or a duck wearing your sunglasses. It's just fun. Don't overthink it." - I can't really put into words why exactly, but the "It's just fun. Don't overthink it." part of that made me laugh a lot.
• Honestly, the whole chapter about her honeymoon on a cruise ship is just wonderfully funny, especially her description of cruise ships in general: "Luxury cruises were designed to make something unbearable - a two-week transatlantic crossing - seem bearable. There's no need to do it now. There are planes. You wouldn't take a vacation where you ride on a stagecoach for two months but there's all-you-can-eat shrimp. You wouldn't take a vacation where you have an old-timey appendectomy without anesthesia while steel drums play. You might take a vacation where you ride a camel for two days if they gave you those animal towels wearing your sunglasses."
• The line, "At a certain point your body wants to be disgusting." Ugh, just love that. 
• The chapter "Remembrances of Being Very, Very Skinny" is too great for words. The final paragraph of it especially: "We should leave people alone about their weight. Being skinny for awhile (provided you actually eat food and don't take pills or smoke to get there) is a perfectly fine pastime. Everyone should try it once, like a super-short haircut or dating a white guy."
• My favourite lines from "Remembrances of Being a Little Bit Fat" are: 1. "Even though I only liked McDonald's fries, I believe it was more nutritious to make a meal of it and have two cheeseburgers as well." 2. "If I was really ambitious, I would get a Whopper Jr. at Burger King and then walk to McDonald's to get the fries. The shake could be from anywhere."
• When talking about the ever-issue of women being funny: "I think of this whenever someone says to me, "Jerry Lewis says women aren't funny," or "Christopher Hitchens says women aren't funny," or "Rick Fenderman says women aren't funny....Do you have anything to say to that?"  Yes. We don't fucking care if you like it."
• When talking about the overuse of Photoshop: "I feel about Photoshop the way some people feel about abortion. It is appalling and a tragic reflection on the moral decay of our society...unless I need it, in which case, everybody be cool."  And "Photoshop is just like makeup. When it's done well it looks great, and when it's overdone you look like a crazy asshole. Unfortunately, most people don't do it well. I find, the fancier the magazine is, the worse the Photoshop. It's as if they are already so disgusted that a human has to be in the clothes, they can't stop erasing human features."
• Her description of Amy Poehler makes me really want Amy Poehler to write a book. She seems like the coolest woman alive. 
• "Politics and prostitution have to be the only jobs where inexperience is considered a virtue. In what other profession would you brag about not knowing stuff?" 

Just a really great book, you should definitely read it - what am I saying, I'm sure you have already since it came out a billion years ago. In that case, read it again! She's an incredible woman and I sincerely hope that she writes another one sometime soon. You can purchase it here or peruse one of your friends bookshelves, 'cause I'm pretty sure you'll find it there, too. 

Song of the Moment

Can't tell you how much I've been playing this song on repeat lately. So damn catchy.