but a recent visit reignited my desire to dine-out more at the Olive Garden. The Prince George's Plaza location offered a pleasant environment that is conducive for an enjoyable dining experience. Although there was a twenty-minute wait, we were buzzed within ten minutes, and the service was timely. We had the Sampler Italiano appetizer that consist of Calamari, Chicken Fingers, and Mozzarella to start. Oven-roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes topped with mushrooms and creamy Marsala sauce on top of garlic parmesan mashed potatoes was the entree, Stuff Chicken Marsala. Black Tie Mousse Cake was the dessert of choice. We washed that down with an Italian Margarita that topped of the evening. As I see it the Olive Garden has a slogan that they stride to live-up-to, I was with family, and we enjoyed sharing our food, which was more than enough food for us. The Olive Garden located on East-West Highway receives 4.5 blinks.
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
You are Family at The Olive Garden
but a recent visit reignited my desire to dine-out more at the Olive Garden. The Prince George's Plaza location offered a pleasant environment that is conducive for an enjoyable dining experience. Although there was a twenty-minute wait, we were buzzed within ten minutes, and the service was timely. We had the Sampler Italiano appetizer that consist of Calamari, Chicken Fingers, and Mozzarella to start. Oven-roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes topped with mushrooms and creamy Marsala sauce on top of garlic parmesan mashed potatoes was the entree, Stuff Chicken Marsala. Black Tie Mousse Cake was the dessert of choice. We washed that down with an Italian Margarita that topped of the evening. As I see it the Olive Garden has a slogan that they stride to live-up-to, I was with family, and we enjoyed sharing our food, which was more than enough food for us. The Olive Garden located on East-West Highway receives 4.5 blinks.
Mentadent (An All In One Toothpaste)
Whitens TeethPlace pump dispenser on flat surface and open flip-top cap.
Push down evenly with palm of hand to dispense toothpaste onto brush. The first ribbon of toothpaste may come out unevenly. Continue to press top of pump equally.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
No Country For Old Men
Javier Bardem wins an Oscar for best supporting actor playing a ruthless villain in No Country For Old Men. This movie starts out with Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) hunting in the desert and he comes across a drug deal gone bad. He takes a large some of money from the scene of the crime and later returns and that is when the movie picks up speed. Tommy Lee Jones stars as the sheriff tracking Bardem. Woody Harrelson plays a smooth, slick talking cowboy that is somehow linked to the money, the drugs and the killer. AHSI gives this movie 3 eyeballs.ASSI - Dark, gritty, and ruthless killer seems to be the winning formula for an Oscar Nomination, and the actors who assume these roles are awarded for portraying unlikeable characters. "No Country For Old Men" is a movie that was interesting for all the wrong reasons. I wanted Llewelyn Moss played by Josh Brolin to get away with the bad guys money and I really wanted him to take out Javier Bardem, who plays Anton Chigurhake. When Woody Harrelson joins the film the intensity is increased and the Coen brothers take viewers on a quest of good guy verses bad guy, but the bad guy has a tracking device on the money, and carries a fake-me-out oxygen tank that he used to blow-out door locks and people. " The Coen brothers are responsible for writing and directing "No Country For Old Men". The ending killed the movie or perhaps the movie killed the ending. As I see it...if you enjoy a well written and directed film this one is for you. "No Country For Old Men" receives 3.5 blinks.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Star Studded Kingdom
ASSI - A team of FBI agents are detailed to Saudi Arabia to capture the masture mind behind an American housing complex that was bombed. In Kingdom, Jamie Foxx plays Special Agent Ronald Fluery leads his team into unwanted territory. His tean of agents are comprised of Jennifer Garner plays Agent Janet Mays, Chris Cooper plays Agent Grant Sykes, Jason Bateman plays Agent Adam Leavitt, and Jeremy Piven, Tim McGraw, Ashraf Barhom are just a few of the supporting cast. When the agents arrive in desert Kingdom they are greeted with more than a friendly welcome. Things are slow until the agents are ambushed and agent Leavitt is taking hostage. The serving agents gather themselves, began a hot pursuit to save their comrade, and the action grabs your attention. As I see it Kingdom receives 3 blinks.Monday, February 25, 2008
A New Awakening
Malcolm went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The trip proved life altering. For the first time, Malcolm shared his thoughts and beliefs with different cultures, and found the response to be overwhelmingly positive. When he returned, Malcolm said he had met "blonde-haired, blued-eyed men I could call my brothers." He returned to the United States with a new outlook on integration and a new hope for the future. This time when Malcolm spoke, instead of just preaching to African-Americans, he had a message for all races. After Malcolm resigned his position in the Nation of Islam and renounced Elijah Muhammad, relations between the two had become increasingly volatile. FBI informants working undercover in the NOI warned officials that Malcolm had been marked for assassination. (One undercover officer had even been ordered to help plant a bomb in Malcolm's car). After repeated attempts on his life, Malcolm rarely traveled anywhere without bodyguards. On February 14, 1965 the home where Malcolm, Betty and their four daughters lived in East Elmhurst, New York was firebombed. Luckily, the family escaped physical injury. The legacy of "X"One week later, however, Malcolm's enemies were successful in their ruthless attempt. At a speaking engagement in the Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965 three gunmen rushed Malcolm onstage. They shot him 15 times at close range. The 39-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.Fifteen hundred people attended Malcolm's funeral in Harlem on February 27, 1965 at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ (now Child's Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ). After the ceremony, friends took the shovels away from the waiting gravediggers and buried Malcolm themselves. Later that year, Betty gave birth to their twin daughters.Malcolm's assassins, Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson were convicted of first-degree murder in March 1966. The three men were all members of the Nation of Islam. The legacy of Malcolm X has moved through generations as the subject of numerous documentaries, books and movies. A tremendous resurgence of interest occurred in 1992 when director Spike Lee released the acclaimed movie, Malcolm X. The film received Oscar nominations for Best Actor (Denzel Washington) and Best Costume Design. Malcolm X is buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wahlberg, Duvall, and Pheonix Own The Night
AHSI....."We own the night" is an exciting police drama starringJoaquin Pheonix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall. Joaquin plays Bobby Green a nightclub manager with Eva as his beautiful girlfriend Amada Juarez. When the nightclub that he manages becomes a target for his brother and father (Mark and Robert) who play Captain Joe Grusinsky and Deputy Chief Bert Grusinsky reach out to Green for help. The plot thickens because now Green is aware of the illegal activities that go on at the club and it will take something very tragic to happen that makes him chose where his loyalty lies.
I give this movie 3.5 eyeballs.
ASSI - Good brother, bad brother, and family drama are the main ingredients for "We Own the Night". A New York night club managed by Bobby Green is under investigation, and his father and brother are leading the investigation to bring down a drug lord who frequents the club. Bobby loves his fast pace lifestyle, his smoking-hot girlfriend played by Eva Mendez, his club following respects him, and he is unmoved with his father and brother's high ranking positions with NYC police. As the Black sheep of the family, he is comfortable with a distance relationship, until the drug-king-pin puts a hit on his brother, played by Mark Wahlberg. Robert Duvall plays a loving father, who is proud to work side-by-side with his one son, but is beyond condescending to the other son, who proves his love and loyalty to his family when tested. "We Own the Night," is an exciting film that captures your attention from the beginning and keeps you interested until the end. It is a well written filmed and the actors were just as good. As I see it, "We Own the Night" receives 4 blinks.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Mixtape Music Is Not Strictly For The Underground Anymore
AHSI.....The music industry is feeling the lack of record sales through out the entire industry. Mixtape music has become very popular with the mainstream music scene, and not just underground. It started back in the day, when DJ's figured out that they can make money buy selling mixtapes to different audiences. Ron G, Kid Capri and DoWop were some of the New York DJ's that were very popular mixing, scratching and rhyming. They featured the newest and most popular rap artist that was hot at that time. The mixtapes also helped many artist get known throughout the underground hip hop mixtape scene. The most famous rapper who mixtapes help-to-build his career, is known other than Mr. Curtis Jackson AKA 50 cents.
ASSI – Mixtapes are good if you prefer a mixture of artist instead of the same artist. I like the under ground mixtapes by Green Lantern. His artist selection and his perfect blend of tracks compliment each other. There are a few other mixtape DJs that I like such as Clue, but there is this one tape that I recently heard that was on point. It belonged to someone else, and I swore that I would remember because it was that good; however, I will have to provide that information later. DJ White Owl is ideal for getting you through the night. As I see it if you are unfamiliar with mixtapes, get familiar. If you are without a family member or friend who are mixtape consumers. Ask a street vendor who sells CDs to suggest an appropriate mixtape for you. A mix tape is always good for a party or when you are cleaning the house.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Deep Cleansing with Nature's Gate
ASSI - I happened upon Nature’s Gate products in my local Whole Foods Market. The caption caught my attention: Deep cleansing foaming face wash with amino acid moisture complex. I also purchased the facial toner, which I could have done without. I normally use Witch Hazel as a toner. It is one of many ingredients in Nature’s Gate toner. I noticed that my face did maintain moisture minutes and hours prior to using toner. It really only takes one pump of cleanser to cleanse my face, and one squirt produces enough foam to provide a deep cleansing. Although the toner was a useless purchase, I really enjoy the cleanser and will probably try it again. As I see it Nature’s Gate Deep Cleansing facial cleanser is product that deserves a try. I give it 4 blinks.Friday, February 15, 2008
Club Prive
ASSI - Vegas has the hottest night spots and Prive is one of many. I had the pleasure of arriving early enough to witness club goers fill the club and get their party on-and-popping. The deejay was unable to properly blend and mix the music, but the young heads seem to enjoy the snippets. There was a baller in the house making-it-rain, for those who are unfamiliar with the term. In this case, a Black male of financial means showered the crowd with hundreds of one dollar bills. He unwrapped what appeared to be 250 one dollar bills and tossed them. He did this three times while I was standing in the general vicinity. It was interesting to watch how some people were unfazed by the falling dollars, some grabbed enough to cover around of drinks, and others were stooped down stuffing their pockets and purses. Patron Silver was my choice of drink for the evening, I sipped it all night. I also enjoyed the complimentary Mellon Ball shots the club provided. There are a number of bars in Prive, a number of VIP seating areas, and enough nooks and crannies for when your feet need a break. Prive has the euro centric bar tables that are equiped with portable ice bucket and liqour compartments, and a waiter is included for VIP guest. I really had an enjoyable experience at Prive from the moment I arrived the energy was right. The bouncers were well dressed Tall, Dark, and Handsome polite men who were eager to great the guest. As I see it Prives receives 4.5 blinks.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Riviera Hotel and Casino
gambling chances for hotel guest, KFC, Pizza Hut, Quiznos, and a Mexican Restaurant occupy the food court. The Riviera is also going through a face lift with an upgrade to the rooms, the bed was comfortable, the room was spacious and equipped with a HD plasma television. The bathroom still requires some attention, the toilet is reminiscent of a public commode, there is enough counter space for two sinks, new hardware would help, and the tub is uninviting, but since most of our time was spent outside the room it was tolerable. As I see it the Riviera receives 3.5 blinks.Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Death Sentence
AHSI......Kevin Bacon stars as Kevin Humes, a successful businessman with two sons and a dedicated wife. His oldest son Brendan (Stuart Lafferty) is about to start a professional hockey career. After a major tragedy takes place in the lives of this suburban family, Mr. Humes becomes a vigilante. By Kevin being consumed with revenge it places the rest of his family in serious danger. I give Death Sentence 3 eyeballs.ASSI - In Death Sentence the title sums up a story of an enraged father who is determined to stand and fight for lives of his family. It is a fast pace film that captures your attention from the beginning; however, the directors vision was beyond realistic for some of the shoot-out scenes. Humes, played by Kevin Bacon sustained some fatal shots that require months of recovery, but he was more like a regenerating cloned man, who became stronger after each vicious attack. As I see it Death Sentence is a film of a man's will and determination and it worth seeing. I give this movie 3 blinks.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Fanz T-Shirts for Females
ASSI - There are a number of casual T-shirts available on the market for ladies; however, few are designed to fit your shoulders and compliment your waist. I had the pleasure of wearing a Female Fanz T-shirts over the weekend, the 100% pima cotton fabric felt nice next to my skin, and normally I roll up the sleeves of traditional t-shirts due to the length and fit, but with the Female Fanz T-shirts all I had to do was put it on and go. Female Fanz T-shirts are available in Garnet, Purple, Blue, Grey, and White and are moderately priced at $18.00. Within thirty days you can purchase a Female Fanz T-shirts with a screen print design and three-quarter sleeves. As I See It t-shirts are a hit and miss, most are big and frumpy, ideal for lazy wear with a pair of jeans or active wear, to promote a cause or to merely make a fashion statement, but Female Fanz T-shirt are ideal for women who prefer larger t-shirts that fit in all the right places. I give the Female Fanz T-shirts 4 blinks.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Planet Dailies
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Poker Rules
Texas Hold'em Poker (defined by their betting limits):Limit Texas Hold'em (there is a specified betting limit in each game and on each round of betting)Pot Limit Texas Hold'em (a player can bet what is in the pot)No Limit Texas Hold'em (a player can bet all of their chips at any time)Basic Play
The following list is a simple rundown of basic play when playing Texas Hold'em.
Blind Bets
Deal - each player is dealt 2 cards
First betting round
The Flop - the first three community cards are dealt
Second betting round
The Turn - the fourth community card is dealt
Third betting round
The River - the final community card is dealt
Final betting round
Showdown
The Dealer Button
Texas Hold'em uses a small disc called the "dealer button" to indicate the dealer of each hand. Once a hand is completed, the dealer button moves clockwise to the next player. This ensures that each player has the chance of playing early or late and that every player gets a chance to post the "blind bets".
Note: During Single Table Tournaments the first player to get the dealer button is determined through a high card draw (each player is dealt one card; the player with the highest value card goes first. If two or more players have the same value card then they are ranked according to suit - high to low - spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs).
The Blind Bets
The player to the left of the dealer button is required to place the "small blind" (usually equal to half the lower stake) and the next player to the left is required to place the "big blind" (equal to the lower stake limit). Once the blind bets have been made, the cards are dealt and the next player to the left starts the first betting round.
Both the small and the big blinds are considered live bets and therefore the player has the option of checking, calling, raising or folding when the betting action comes back around to their position. After the flop and after each subsequent betting round, the first active player left of the button is first to act.
When a player sits down at an active table, they will be required to post the equivalent of the big blind. Also, to prevent "blinds" abuse, players are required to post the small blind and the big blind upon re-entry (returning from sitting out) to the game if both blinds are missed (only the big blind amount is posted as a live bet and the remainder is added directly to the pot). All players have the option of sitting out and waiting for the button to rotate to their position before starting to play.
The mandatory posting of the blind is in place to ensure fairness to all players; preventing players from constantly switching seats to gain a positional advantage, or from entering games in a late position and then leaving before they are required to post the big blind.
First Betting Round
Starting with the player to the left of the "big blind", they have the option to bet, raise or fold. All remaining players can then call, raise or fold. To "call" is to bet the same as the previous player. If the first player folds, then the next player will have the option to bet while the remaining players can call.
The bets in the first betting round are set at the lower limit of the stakes structure, so in a $10/$20 game the value of a bet is $10 while the raise is $20 (a raise includes a call of the previous bet plus an additional bet).
The Second Betting Round
After the flop (when the first 3 community cards have been dealt), the second betting round begins.
The first player to the left of the dealer button is the first to act (bet, raise, check or fold).
Checking is to refrain from betting and is only available if no bet has yet been made in the betting round. Once a bet has been made, remaining players will only have the option to call, raise or fold. Like the first round, the second also limits the bets and raises to the lower limit of the stakes structure.
The Third Betting Round
The third betting round starts after the Turn (when the fourth community card has been dealt).
Once again, the player to the left of the dealer button begins the betting (bet, check or fold). However, this time the bets and raises are limited to the upper limit of the stakes structure. Each subsequent player can then call, check, raise or fold (a player can only check if no bet has been made).
The Final Betting Round
The final betting round happens after the River card (the final community card) has been dealt.
The player to the left of the dealer button can bet, check, raise or fold. Bets and raises are limited to the upper limit of the stakes structure. Remaining players can then call, check, raise or fold (a player can only check if no bet has been made).
The Showdown
Any remaining players will now display their two cards and the player who has the best hand wins.
Players can use a combination of their own cards and the community cards (2 player cards + 3 community cards or 1 player card + 4 community cards) or all 5 community cards (called playing the board).
If two or more players have the same hand then the pot is split equally between them.
Betting Exceptions
In Limit Texas Hold'em a maximum of four bets are allowed per player in a betting round - (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise and (4) cap. In No Limit and Pot Limit Texas Hold'em the number of times a player can raise is not limited. However, a player can not raise themselves (if a player raises and then all the remaining players call or fold, then the player who raised would not get an option to raise because they were the last to raise).
A player is declared All-In if they do not have enough chips to call. This player is eligible for the portion of the pot to the point of their final bet.
All further bets by other players go to a "side pot" which any All-In players are excluded from.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Black Jack / 21 is one of the most popular table games at the casino
The object of Blackjack is for the total of your cards to be closer to 21 than the dealer's cards, without exceeding 21. In Blackjack, aces can count as either 1 or 11, picture cards as 10, and number cards as their face value. An ace and a ten-value card as your first two cards means you have Blackjack and you win one and a half times your bet (a $10 bet receives $25 payout). If the total value of your cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's, you win the same amount as you wagered (a $10 bet receives $20 payout). If the total of your cards is more than 21, you "bust" and lose your bet. If you and the dealer have the same card total (17 and higher) neither of you win and your bet is returned to you in a "push". Blackjack beats a score of 21.Rule variations
Our Blackjack follows standard "Las Vegas Strip" rules, with the following exceptions:
All cards are returned to the deck after each round, and the deck is shuffled.
The player can only split once.
The player can double after splitting.
The dealer will not check for Blackjack in any case.
If the player doubles and the dealer has blackjack with his first card an ace, the player loses both his bets.
If the dealer's first card is of value 10, and the dealer gets Blackjack, the player gets the Double bet back.
Split
If your first two cards have the same point value, you may split them into two separate hands by placing an additional bet equal to the original bet. You then proceed to draw cards. You can draw as many cards as you like on each split hand except for aces. Split aces receive only one additional card for each ace. An ace with a ten-value card in a split hand is counted as 21 and not Blackjack.
Double
After you are dealt two cards, you can "double" your bet. You increase your bet by an amount that matches your original bet. You are then allowed to receive one more card only.
Insurance
Insurance is considered a side bet in Blackjack. If the dealer has as Ace as his up card, you will be given the insurance option. You buy insurance to bet that the dealer has Blackjack. It allows you to protect your bet against the possibility that the dealer has Blackjack. Insurance costs an extra half of your initial bet which is wagered by clicking the Insurance button. If the dealer has Blackjack, you are paid 2 to 1 on your insurance bet. If the dealer doesn't have Blackjack, you lose your insurance bet, but continue to play your dealt cards.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Dryel Your Own Dry Cleaner
AHSI....How often do you put your clothes in the dry cleaners? Well, if you are like me, I put in an average of $50 worth of cloths in the dry cleaner's every two weeks. ASSI introduced me to this product and I have used this product for the last six months. It help me save money by allowing me an opportunity to dry clean my own clothes. It is also convenien, it only 20 to 25 minutes or the length of time your dryer takes to automatically stop. The strong odor from the chemicals used by the the cleaners are gone, and have been replaced with pleasant fragances plus your clothes are ready to wear upon removing from the dryer. AHSI gives this product a 3.5. It saves you time, money and a trip to your neighborhood cleaners to pick up and drop off clothes.ASSI - Dryel stain solution has removed stains professional cleaners were unable to remove. Garments are returned with broken or missing buttons, small holes, or items are misplaced without any consequences to the cleaners. The cleaners protect themselves with disclaimers and blames, but rarely do they take responsiblity for any damages. However, when you use Dryel you become your own cleaners, you can remove stains and odor, but are the garments really clean. I want to believe that professional cleaners wash all garments in a special solution prior to pressing the garment, but since I have yet to witness the process. I hope that cleaners are providing more than a dry and press service. I was a big fan of Dryel when it first came on the market, after a few problems with stains, and wondering if my garments were clean. I went back to dry cleaning; however, it is expensive and too many of my clothes are returned damaged. Therefore, Dryel is an ideal product to have and try, especially if you are experiencing financial dificulty. As I see it Dryel receives 3 blinks.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Mr. Woodcock
AHSI..........Mr. Woodcock starring Billy Bob Thorton as Mr. Woodcock, Seann William Scott as John Farley and Susan Sarandon as Beverly Farley is a comedy about a gym teacher dating one of his ex-student's mother. Farley, the ex- student rehashes to his youthful days in Billy Bob’s class as the fat kid that he picked on all the time. Scott is outraged that his mother is dating his old gym teacher and this is when the trouble begins. Beverly, a widower is trying to keep the piece between her son and her boyfriend. If you like Bad Santa or any of the American Pie Movies, you will remember Thorton as the Bad Santa and Seann as Stifler the jerk of all jerks. I give this movie 2.5 eyeballs.