Friday Ramblings

It's Friday so you know the deal...

• This is the seventh week of school meaning Monday was probably my sixth life crisis of the semester. Why?  Well because graduation is rolling around the corner.  I'm afraid.
• My boyfriend told me I was too "argumentative" and "strong all the time" recently.  This was after I read about 50 pages focusing on the Feminist Movement.  
• Some random man on the street told me that I had Tina Turner legs Saturday while I walked to the dining hall.  This is like the ultimate compliment to me.
• Did you guys see Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Magic Mike inspired opening on SNL?  I'm not sure if that was from this past Saturday or what, but he was getting it. #VanillaFlavorForEveryday
• I need more money for all the stuff I need.  Where's that rich sugar daddy of mine?
• I really want to start a running group at my school for the Black community.  I was going to try Black Girls Run! but they said they're not starting any new running groups until the end of the year. 
• I really need to get out and go dancing or bar hopping I think.  I don't do anything "fun" during the weekends it seems and this must change.
• If this whole getting a job with a degree thing doesn't work out I think I'll be a video girl.  I just have to tone up this midsection first.
• I really want to find a nice red lipstick just to have.  I barely wear lipstick, but I've always wanted a nice red.  I have one, but I feel like its too bright.  I prefer the darker colors.
• I wish I could go home just one weekend, but I'm so busy. *sigh*  This must be what the real world is like.
• I need an iPod so I can make an awesome playlist to workout to.  If you're interested in donating or selling one at a low price get at me.
• I need to be reading so why I am I sitting here typing this.
• I totally just typed that last sentence to the beat of Chris Brown's "Look At Me Down" as I listened to the song on YouTube.  Same with this sentence.
• I really want some black boots.  The ones from last year nearly killed me at multiple times.

Taste of Athens: Dawg Gone Good BBQ

Name:  Dawg Gone Good BBQ
Location:  224 W. Hancock Avenue
What I Ordered:  Pulled pork plate with macaroni and baked beans.
Price:  $8.56

I'm back at it again with my local taste testing of food around the city of Athens, GA.  Today we have Dawg Gone Good BBQ located in downtown of the Classic City.  I first heard about this place after watching a video the Alphas at my school put up.  They had some of it at their annual back to school block party, but being the anti-social person I am I didn't go.  Then coincidence would have it that in my mail box this week I got some coupons and inside was an advertisement from this place.  Since I started Taste of Athens I decided I might as well give it a try seeing how I'd yet to find a place that offered something similar to what my Mom makes back at home.

Its a small place, but good things come in small packages.  When my friend and I walked in we were greeted by the owner BBQ Chef B.J. with a Madea inspired "Hello," as Kem blasted through the speakers.  Even though I don't care for Tyler Perry I couldn't help but smile at how welcoming the guy was. They sell pulled pork, ribs, chicken, green beans, mac & cheese, etc.  All of the stuff that you expect to see at a barbeque place with the exception of hash and collard greens I sadly discovered.  The prices were what you would expect from a barbeque place so I wouldn't complain about that seeing how I left full.  The sauce used (not sure if homemade or store bought) was sweet just like I like it.  Obviously with good sauce I enjoyed my pulled pork sandwich and it almost reminded me of the barbeque my Mom makes back at home.

I love macaroni so after trying my sandwich that was the first thing I went for.  I noticed all of the pepper on it which ultimately ruined the macaroni for me as I rarely put pepper on anything, especially macaroni.  Because of all the pepper it tasted too spicy for me.  I'm not saying it was bad, but not the best I've had.  It reminded me of macaroni my friend's mom gave me one year after returning back to school from Thanksgiving Break.  The baked beans were another story.  I LOVED them.  They were sweet so I could tell he added something like brown sugar to the mix.  I originally wanted to order yams, but they didn't have anymore so the beans were my substitute.  Best decision ever.  I left with a full stomach hours after eating which says a lot in my opinion.  The only thing that could have made things better would have been a slice of sweet potato pie or some type of cake.  Then it would have felt like home.

The place is extremely welcoming and I felt like I was just at a family event sitting down and eating.  The owner was in the background giving relationship advice to a frequent customer/friend with curse words every now and then, just like one of my old uncles.  He apologized to me and my friend, but we didn't care seeing how it was nearly 11 anyways.  He made sure to remind me that they had lunch and student specials so one Sunday I may have to go and get a plate for $5.99.  The only downside to this place was I noticed they were out of a lot of side dishes that some people asked for, like my yams.  In addition to that because its downtown parking is hard to find.  The lot behind the place was charging $3 to park which I'm sure had something to do with game day being the next day.

I'd give this place a rating of 4 out of 5.  The food was amazing with the exception of the macaroni for me and things were reasonably priced seeing how you're getting real food and not just french fries.  In addition to that they have specials so there's no reason not to just stop by and try something.  The lack of parking, collard greens, and extra peppered macaroni were the only "bad" things about the place.  My friend and I had to drive around for like 10-15 minutes after finding the place just to park, but that's downtown for you.  I highly recommend anyone in the area go and try it out.

Friday Ramblings

Its Friday so you know the deal...

• So I have a cough.  Like a bad cough that my poor little body can't handle.  Pity me people!
• I'm in love with this new Taylor Swift song "We Are Never Getting Back Together."  Taylor Swift makes the ultimate relationship/break-up songs I swear.
• I just want to say screw the UGA bookstore.  I went to pick a book up Tuesday and they told me they sent it back because I didn't come pick it up by the deadline that I knew nothing about.  The e-mail they sent me just said to call them by that day.  I seriously wanted to slap the girl working because she was just aggravating me.  Then they had the nerve to bring out a $20 book when the one I ordered was only $8.  Who in the hell do they think they are?
• I scored two goals Monday in P.E. while playing soccer.  I think this means I can go join the Olympic team now.
• Burn mark is still on my arm.  The "nipple" is gone after I noticed it moved when I touched it resulting it fluid coming out.  Ewwwwwwww...it still has to heal which is taking forever I swear.
• Don't go see The Words with Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana.  I repeat.  DON'T GO SEE IT!
• I'm pretty sure I sound like a babbling idiot in class.  I'm sure of that after today.  Maybe I just need to shut up.
• I need some clothes.  Where's my sugar daddy when I need him?  *pouts*
• My friend and I have decided we're going to open up a male revue club as our post-graduate plan.  
• How old is Denzel Washington because that man is STILL fine.  He probably looks better actually.  I guess he's like wine, just gets better with age.
• I want to make a major change to my diet, but I know that's going to require a lot of dedication.  I'm seriously thinking about cutting pork and beef out of my diet.  I have to get past the mental barrier first.
• I can't wait until we start doing actual scenes in my acting class.  I'm getting so tired of asking people if they have a watch with the response of "Not on me." 
• I miss my tv.  That is all.

Taste of Athens: Keba Spitfire Grill

So I've decided that I'm going to start a portion on my blog called "Taste of Athens."  The city name will switch up for wherever I am, but since I go to school in  Athens I mostly eat here.  One of the biggest things about living somewhere else is the food.  Every city has their own little restaurants and Athens is no different, especially since its a college town.  My goal for the semester is to try different places out and give you guys a little review of the place along with some pictures of what I ate.  First up we have Keba Spitfire Grill.

Not sure if this is a good example of the inside of the sandwich, but oh well.

Location:  1850 Epps Bridge Parkway, Suite 111
What I Ordered:  A regular combo with beef, lettuce, tomato, Keba sauce, fries, and creamy feta sauce.
Price:  $9.62

I first heard about Keba from my frat's fellowship chair last semester when Taste of Athens became a fellowship, so this isn't my first time trying it.  The burgers are described as German style seeing how the owner/founder is from Germany and they even serve Belgian cut fries.  You have numerous options for your base (filling/meat) including beef, chicken, pork, feta, etc. and you get to select a sauce that you want on the sandwich.  I chose Keba sauce since it obviously must be viewed as their "signature" sauce if it bares the name of the place.  If you get fries you also get the choice of another sauce so I got creamy feta.  My food was ready within a few minutes which was pleasing seeing how I was starving.

The beef alone is very dry, but I'm guessing this is why they include a sauce because I can't imagine having it with just the bread and veggies.  The meat actually reminded me of the type I see on gyros if that matters at all.  I must say the sandwich/burger was pretty good.  I didn't really care for the Keba sauce though because I just couldn't taste it.  I knew it was there, but yeah it doesn't have much of a kick to it that left me wanting to get it on my sandwich again.  I ended up dipping my food into the creamy feta sauce that I ordered for my fries.  Now that sauce was amazing.  I recommend everyone try that one.  The fries weren't salted if my memory serves me right which is something I don't care for.  I don't need salt on my fries, but I do like some type of seasoning and these didn't have anything.  I'm guessing this is why they offer the option of getting a dipping sauce whenever you order fries.

Overall I'll give them a 3.5 out of 5.  The food was good, but the price was another story.  I don't care for nearly paying $10 for a meal like this, but the food is "different" so I should expect that anyways.  As a college student my pockets can't accept that though.  I'll go back, but probably only if I'm invited there.  If you're a small person I wouldn't recommend getting the regular sized combo as you'll get full halfway through the sandwich.  The small combo is $6.99 and I wish I had got it.  I also recommend sitting down and eating it because by the time I got back to my dorm it wasn't as hot as it probably was when I first got it and how hot food is can play a big deal in the taste.

Friday Ramblings

It's Friday so you know the deal...

• Mentally I'm extremely exhausted right now, but I've only told my friend Prisca about it.  I might have to make some changes because it is far too early in the semester for this.  I think it is a mixture of taking too much on and questioning if I'm even going to get appreciation for some of the stuff that I'm trying to do.
• Earlier in the week I planned a Brotherhood Retreat for my frat.  I think it went fairly well.  My section chair enjoyed it so I'm happy to know someone higher up in the fraternity said this.
• A girl in my senior thesis class thought Babe Ruth was a Black guy.  I'll just leave it at that.
• I went to a program that claimed to be a Black History type game show with the thought of it being about Civil Rights era stuff and such.  No, they were asking questions about what show did Tia Mowry play on and sh*t.  I was so pissed.
• Eff school.  I should have just been a stripper.  That would have been far easier. *sigh*  Sadly God didn't bless me with gyrating skills so this was my plan b.
• So tired.
• Who wants to write my Senior Thesis for me?  Anybody?  No takers?  Well screw ya'll too.
• I freaking burned my arm tonight on a damn light bulb at my frat's pledge inductions.  This thing is not cute ya'll!  I keep looking at it and thinking of a STD.
• I went to the doctor about my foot Wednesday.  I left with nasal steroids.  #LikeABoss
• A fellow history student in one of my classes seemed to think that Babe Ruth was the first Black baseball player.  Oh ma'am, you obvious have not taken any of the Black History course offered through the AFAM or history department.  Tsk tsk
• I seriously felt like crawling across the table earlier this week to smack the sh*t out of somebody.  Lucky for them my body was far too tired to act all ethnic in public.  #YouBeenTouchedByAnAngel
• My parents better bring me some good stuff back from Mexico or I'm gonna have the biggest temper tantrum in the world.
• Since I stopped waxing my eyebrows I've noticed that a little water goes a long way in regards to shaping them.
• Did I mention how tired I am as I look at the clock saying 3:20 A.M.?  No?  Well I just had to remind ya'll.  
• I've decided that this weekend I won't be answering anything APO related until Monday as for the past five weeks every day of my life has been centered around it in every way.  The only e-mails or text I will answer have to come from my section chair.

Things I Have To Accept About Myself

One of my friends wrote a blog which pretty much talked about things she's come to accept about herself in Random Ramblings (I should have got my ish trademarked) and I thought it was pretty cool so since I'm up late I'll do that right now.

• Everyone isn't going to like me.  I'm 22 years old and still dealing with the issue of wanting everyone to like me to some extent.  I know that I have a pretty strong personality so it isn't going to mesh with everyone.
• I have a negative view of myself at times which isn't good.  I didn't even notice it until I was with two of my past roommates and I said something and my friend said, "Why are you so hard on yourself?"  This mainly applies to how I view myself in regards to attractiveness.  In my mind I'm still the 13 year old from Morgan Road Middle School that was picked on for my acne and being a "lame."  
• I will never be a twerk master in reality, but in my imaginary world I can run with the best of them.
• I often seek appreciation for the things that I do and when I don't get it I kind of lose motivation.  I do things because I want to make stuff better by offering my help, but when I don't receive a simple "thanks" I get kind of down.
• I'm a quiet person, but I'm very outspoken.
• I like being alone or hanging out in groups no bigger than three or four.  Too many people tire me out and make me feel overwhelmed.  
• I keep a lot of things to myself instead of letting others know because I don't want to feel like I'm bothering people.  The funny thing is I'm always the person who offers an ear for listening when people need it.
• I'll never be a "cool" kid.
• I'll never have long curly/wavy hair, but its fine.
• Even though I say I never want to dance with anybody at parties deep down inside I really do want someone to ask me to dance.  It kind of sends the message to me that someone found me attractive so when nobody approaches me I think something must be wrong with me.
• I look mean as hell and that will never change.
• I'm bossy.
• My skin will never look as clear or smooth as Gabrielle Union.
• I'm cheap.
• I'm afraid to ask for things.  (My Dad would find this humorous as he always says this to me.)
• I can't be perfect.
• I have an extremely hard time trusting people and this comes from childhood.
• I can easily go from happy to sad or depressed by thinking of old memories that I'm ashamed of.
• I overthink things.

Old photo from the Summer of 2010

Friday Ramblings

It's Friday so you know the deal...

• I need God to add just a few more hours in the day for me.  I swear I have no time at all and everything is just coming at me.
• Did you all see Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention?  I originally only saw highlights of it which gave me chills, but when I tell you that I want to have the same grace that she has I'm not playing.  She's intelligent, a great speaker, and beautiful woman who girls of all races should look up to.
• I'm seriously considering the D.C. area as a place to live.  My parents seem to be on board with it.
• I've gone through two semi-midlife crisis moments this week.  One Tuesday night and the other Thursday night.  I feel like I'm doing nothing with my life.
• After nearly two and a half years of competing with my boyfriend in random activities I've finally won something.  Yes, B. Jones dominated in miniature golf Sunday night and I hit that Tiger Woods fist pump on him.
• I'm in LOVE with Rihanna's new haircut!  She looked amazing from the photos I've seen of her, but she's still not the best dancer.
• Get yo life here!
• So who watched the second part of the reunion for Love & Hip Hop ATL?  I was kind of pissed off that Erica agreed to marry Scrappy with all that bullsh*t he put her through this semester, but whatever.  I don't know her and its her life. 
• Speaking of that engagement how much more romantic can an engagement get than your man getting down on one knee with the question, "Is you gonna marry a n*gga?"  
• I think I'm noticing minor changes in myself from this jogging and $1 abs class.  Of course if I ate right I would probably be a whole lot better off.
• I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but I want to make a fishbowl drink.  Who wants to buy all of the ingredients I'll need?
• I was just interrupted from typing this to read a script for my screenwriting class.  Why can't my teacher just let me continue to sit here and be quiet as I blog?
• My parents are going to Mexico.  I don't appreciate this, but as long as I get some cute jewelry I don't care.
• I'm listening to white kids in my class discuss the use of the word "Negro" in papers.  They're trying to say it really low like its a bad word.
• One of the most dangerous things one can do is scroll through their Tumblr as they sit in class.  I always worry if some freaked out image will pop up and if the person behind me will think I'm into looking at porn in class.