the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten

I went out to dinner with a friend tonight (after I bought $85 worth of groceries, but hey, he paid for dinner) and we went out to Chinatown (go figure).

Tonight, I realized why I only eat at my favorite Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, Sang Ke. 

We walked into the restaurant and got seated by the tanks full of fish, crabs, shrimps and eel.  Yes, eel.  We also experienced a little misty shower during our dinner (the employees were feeding the fish with the shrimp) which added to the awesome ambiance.  I didn't realize I needed an umbrella or poncho when I dined in Chinatown.

Anyway, so my friend ordered us an appetizer and I perused the 85-item menu, from frog to eel to ox, you name it, it was on the menu.  I ended up getting the Singapore rice noodles and he got he Peking duck. 

Our appetizer came (that's what she said) and it looked like red tubes.  I asked him what it was and he said, "fried pork."  It sure didn't look like fried pork.  So I tried it.  A little chewy, but it wasn't bad.  As I kept eating it, I started feeling queezy.  I don't think this was fried pork.

We finished our dinner and the check arrived with two fortune cookies and four orange slices. 

"I bet you the cost of dinner that you can't eat those four orange slices in two minutes." he said.

"Three minutes!!" I replied.

"Two and a half minutes.  You eat all four of those orange slices in two and a half minutes and I'll pay for dinner."

(little did he know, he was going to pay for dinner anyway - sucka.)

So he sets his watch and I grab the first orange slice.  Of course I'm laughing like a little girl as I'm eating these oranges, but I managed to consume all four of them in 2 minutes, 18 seconds. 

Well worth it.

OK, not really, but I can add that onto the "Skills" section of my resume, right?!

So he drops me off after dinner and about twenty minutes later, he sends me a text.

"You enjoyed your tripe!"

I immediately knew what he was talking about.  I nearly gagged.  Tripe is disgusting.  But perhaps it's not nearly as disgusting as what I actually consumed at dinner, which was...

wait for it....

wait for it....



FRIED PIG INTESTINE

Reason #58607 why I'm never going to China.

Ever.

And reason #6908 why I'm never going out to dinner with him again.

Ever.

Sometimes I really hate my friends...
 

counting my blessings

"Cause I'm thankful for the blessings

And the lessons that I've learned..."

I'm thankful for:

having relatively good health. being with family. having food on my plate on this day. laughing. breathing. crying. soldiers over seas who are fighting for our freedom. television. football. pumpkin pie. puppies. memories with my family. smiling. reminiscing. good friends. my job. my other job. being an advocate. being a survivor. providing for myself. good days. warm weather. internet. laziness. sleeping. talking. a warm blanket. heating my house. hot chocolate with a shot of baileys. delicious thanksgiving food. being a good cook. my parents providing me with a great life. hope that I can provide my future children with the same. knowing both of my brothers and I will be together for Christmas. a few days away from work. quiet moments. relaxing moments. holidays.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

"don't forget to tip your bartenders"

• What's a customary tip for a bartender?

Me?  I usually tip $1 for each drink.  And maybe I'll leave the extra quarter or two if it gets me laid I feel generous. 

Baltimorians?  Baltimorialites?  They don't tip.  10 people each bought a Miller Lite or a Coors Lite that cost $3.75 and all 10 people paid the $3.75 and didn't tip.  Actually, one guy left the extra quarter.  Clearly he felt the need to be generous.

I never understood people who don't tip their bartenders.  I mean, I know we're in a recession and all, but don't you understand that your bartenders are working on tips?  How would you feel if someone tipped you a quarter on a $4.00 drink?!

Reason #5968 why I don't like Baltimore.

I think the only good thing B-more has going for them are their crab cakes.  I had true Maryland style crab cakes this weekend and they definitely did not disappoint.

Also?  The Inner Harbor is nice ...... but not great.  Although I am jealous that Baltimore has an ESPN Zone and Philly doesn't.  For all who don't know, ESPN Zone is probably the best. overpriced. sports. bar. ever.  It's like Dave and Busters but with more TV's and less games.  OK fine, so it's nothing like Dave and Busters but it's still awesome.  And Philadelphia needs to get one ASAP.

Needless to say, I probably won't be making a trip down to B-more any time soon.  It was nice to get away for a night, but I'm glad I'm home.

Philadelphia - 1
Baltimore - 0

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