10 Days of Cheap Christmas: Day #1

Let's get this countdown kicked off proper!  This is a wacky, well, words fail, but let's say miniature gumdrop (do a Google Images search for "gumdrop" you'll thank me later for introducing you to your new favorite adorable wallpaper) sucker on a really long stick.  I got this thing at Michaels as I was leaving noticing it near the checkouts and paid some obtuse irregular odd price like 43 cents for it.

I told you it's a long stick!  Perfect size for, I'm not sure, possibly attacking a fleeing relative who's running through the house or terrorizing the family pet.

Here's the money shot!  Now they had several different versions of these but this one warmed my heart fastest (same reason I choose chili).  Why?  Well, they didn't have my first choice Michael Ironside in a tacky Christmas sweater.  No seriously, do you really need to ask?  It's freaking Santa Claus holding a stand of Christmas lights!  That just doesn't happen.  A wreath?  I could buy it.  A present?  Why certainly!  But holding an item us everyday folk use in our celebration of the very holiday he represents?  That'd be like a picture of Michael Jordan in your childhood bedroom dunking on your doorway basketball hoop.

Also, why is his tongue sticking out?  Is he mocking us?  I never took Santa for the type to blow raspberries in jest.

Of course even at 2AM my cat Tomo had to see what was going on in the kitchen.  This reminds me of pretty much any article I posted in 2009 when my wife and I still lived in a small apartment, before children, when my cat was the coolest thing on the planet (she's now relegated to a bit player like Trevor Ochmonek on Alf).

I took the first bite without hesitation leaving Santa looking like JFK post-killshot.  Actually this image really sort of resembles that teenager who gets his head crushed by a car in that wonderful scene in The Toxic Avenger.

I made quick work of the candy (not that there was much to it) and all that remained was the strand of lights.  Which brings us full-circle.  Another reason I chose this particular sucker is I'm a sucker for Christmas lights.  One of my favorite childhood memories, and I'm not just talking holidays here, was loading up into the car with my parents and big brother on cold winter nights around this time of year and driving through neighborhoods looking at other families' Christmas lights and decorations.  So magical.  I especially recall the year that I knew in a few short days under the tree a Game Genie for the NES was awaiting me and I was fantasizing in the backseat about all of the games I'd now be able to conquer.

Campbell's Chunky Kickin' Buffalo-Style Chicken Soup

What is this you say?  Buffalo chicken... soup?  Get out of here!  Nope it's as real as Real Steel was unreal.  I've had a handful of the soups in this line and regrettably most taste the same.  Most of them are variations of meat, potatoes, some vegetables, and a thick, brown muck.  I saw a commercial that Campbell's was introducing 20+ new soup varieties so next time I was at the grocery I perused the soup aisle and grabbed a few cans of savory wet (new phrase I just coined).

I couldn't find my digital camera in a hurry as I was preparing my lunch so I took these pictures using my new iPhone (thus they're not as sharp as I'd like).  But let's steer the focus back directly onto the soup.  First off, is it even a good idea?  I have to admit I had some serious reservations.  Look, I'm an adventurous eater, you take me into an ethnic restaurant, sushi bar, neighborhood deli, whatever, I'll gladly try two of the wildest thing on the menu.

But there's just something about those neon orange buffalo wings (or boneless wings as is usually my case).  I'm sure you've all had them, at BW-3, at Hooter's, some smutty sports bar, you know them and if you've had them surely they left some sort of impression.  They're not bad, don't get me wrong, in the moment, but they don't agree with most stomachs, from what friends have shared, and from what I've often encountered on the drive home from said establishments.  Thus, a thick, festering soup with the key ingredient or at least overarching theme being that very same blinding orange sauce sort of scared me.  Even pouring it into a bowl I had to sort of pep talk myself into going through with this.

After the first bite I wasn't sure exactly how I felt but it wasn't bad and certainly not the taste torture I'd wrongly feared.  Soon I found that I was I starting to eat it faster, then faster, really devouring it in a way I never do soups.  I liked it!  Its thick and creamy and pleasant but the real joy comes from the slight singe and burn you feel in your throat after each bite.  People who don't like spicy stuff shouldn't be frightened away as while it does have a slight kick its more of a flavorful boost than any heat seeker's next conquest.  I didn't even mind the usually suspect and flavorless carrots and celery as everything tasted good swimming in the Kickin' Buffalo-Style witches' brew.  I'll definitely get this again, and while surprisingly good, not sure how well it'd hold up to multiple repeat meals as it could potentially wear out its welcome, but as an occasional treat it quickly jumped toward the top of the slippery, soupy pack.

Overall Grade: B 

Me vs. Scotland Video - Part #1 - 4

Creator of Review the World Brian H. journeys from small town Hamilton, Ohio to Scotland with his friend Steve S. A multi-part travelogue detailing the trip with authenticity and fun.

(As of 2013 parts #5-7 have not and will not be posted currently.  Thank you.)

Batman Infinity - Episode #3

The third and final episode of our ghetto re-imagining of the Batman mythos. This episode sees the series debut of The Joker, Bane, Crossbones, and Edward Nigma. See the Dark Knight as you've never seen before.

B&T Show #16: Season One Finale

The Brian & Tim Show is a series I co-star in.  Unlike other videos on RtW I'm merely on-screen talent on this show, all of the shooting, editing, creative decisions, etc. are by Team Sandnut productions founder Adam S.

It's Friday and new episode time. This time, it's the first season finale of the Brian and Tim Show. Everything here is what's left on our computer, even some recently discovered footage from spring 2011. In this episode: expired Kroger gelatin, Mountain Dew Comparisons, Pringles in the bathroom, Amy's Breakfast Scramble Wrap, and a very odd assortment of ... dextrose candies?

Jupiter Force 3: Extinction Level Event

This is the third (and final) part of the Jupiter Force trilogy. It's the final chapter in our sci-fi saga and the direct sequel to the original film (Jupiter Force 2 was a prequel). This time the ranks of the Jupiter Force are depleted and Xavier Darkskies and the evil Digital Alliance are taking over the galaxy using mind altering drugs.

RtW 2012 Halloween Special

It's the last Friday in October so that means it's time for the sixth annual Brian and Tim Show/Review the World Halloween Special. This year, the guys return to where Review the World began and look at a whole assortment of items including cheap masks, Halloween beer, and numerous other things that go bump in the night.