Chocolate: NOT!

I don’t like white chocolate. I take issue with the casualness of the use of the word chocolate in the name, white chocolate. If the taste alone didn’t have me running away then the fact that white chocolate is NOT chocolate would. It does not contain the cocoa solids or chocolate liquor necessary to make it real chocolate. It is cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. It is the chocolate antithesis.

I realize there are people out there who like white chocolate and my comments about its taste are likely not welcome. I think it’s the perfect solution for those unfortunate souls who cannot or will not partake in the ambrosia that is chocolate. The same wonderful ingredients that make chocolate equal to happiness are not present in white chocolate. So there is no theobromine, no tryptophan, no phenethylamine, and no caffeine.

Granted, there are many recipes out there that have white chocolate and many say they taste divine, though I’ve never been daring enough to try them. I think my body would hold a revolt. I’m completely devoted to chocolate. The creamy texture, the taste, how it melts… Mmmm, where's my stash?

While I munch, I will make this is my unofficial petition to rename white chocolate to something more appropriate like…Vanillanin? Nonchocolate? Chocoless? White confection? Ivory? Pearline? Milk white? Ooo, I’m liking the milk white.

Chocoholics unite!

Books: Graeme Base

I own a lot of books. I’d say half of the books are adult and half are children’s. My little library has threatened to take over B’s little collection of science fiction. One book that I fell in love with while I was in college was Graeme Base’s The Eleventh Hour.

The illustrations alone were mesmerizing, but add to that a mystery and ciphers and the book had me completely captivated. Base included drawings of wonderful architecture, furniture, and bits from places I’ve never been. I LOVE codes! It was such fun trying to figure out the mystery although I lost a few hours of my life. I can’t wait to share my glee with A and then M when they are old enough to complete the ciphers with me.

A and M are old enough for Animalia, another of Base’s books. It is the penultimate alphabet book. Every time we open its pages we find new pictures and new words.

Base also has a penchant for the environment which can be seen in at least two other books, The Sign of the Seahorse and Uno’s Garden. Both books are wonderfully illustrated and filled with tiny hidden things to think about. A has enjoyed both books and frequently pulls them off the shelf without my knowledge.

As an adult I shouldn’t be interested in children’s books, but how could you not when there are authors like Base. Next time you are in a bookstore check it out.

TV: Monk

“Here’s what happened…”

That’s how it ends with Monk, the USA Network television show starring Tony Shalhoub. The obsessive detective nearly always solves the case (He has not yet solved the case of his beloved wife’s murder and doubts himself in “Mr. Monk and the Wrong Man.”)

While all the characters are driven crazy by the quirky, yet brilliant detective, I am thoroughly entertained. I’m not the only one as Monk has received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and awards since its debut in 2002. If you haven’t seen the show you should tune in at least once and you have two opportunities to do so, in the winter and in the summer. Each season is divided into halves, saving me from summer television boredom.

I wanted to list a few of my favorite episodes, but my list continued to grow with each episode summary I read. I can say that my favorites seem to be from this season, six, and that I have to put out there how much glee I had when hearing Randy Newman’s “It’s a Jungle Out There” rapped by Snoop.

I won’t get into the discussions about the music change after season one or the assistant change near the end of season three. Instead I will suggest you read about Monk at Wiki or read the episode guides at tv.com. When you’ve watched an episode sit back and laugh, like I do, reading the funny quotes from the show.

“It’s a gift…and a curse.”

Picture from USA Network

*Update* June 16, 2008
Back in April, I heard of Stanley Kamel's passing. He played the part of Monk's therapist so convincingly. The episode in which he came back from vacation to see Monk at his residence, and he told the driver to keep going, had me laughing up a storm. He will be missed. USA plans to have Monk see a new therapist played by Hector Elizondo. Thus summer episodes premiere on July 18, 2008.

Miscellaneous: What's in a name?

Apple?
If the stars do it why can’t I? Because I don’t have enough money to provide police protection for the bullies my kids would meet in school if I named them Fifi or Audio. People nowadays can’t spell the common names, ones that have been around for years, much less the unusual ones. If I said, for example, that my name was Amy, I would most likely get, “How do you spell that?” Amy, Ami, Aimy, Aimee, Aymee,... In general, people are looking for more unusual names for their children. Magnify that by 100 and you’ve got Hollywood.

Okay, I have absolutely no right to make fun of these famous people and the names they give their children (read “I’m jealous of their money”), and the topic has made the rounds on the net enough times. So, in fun, see if you can name the parents and the gender of the following monikers.

Apple
Audio Science
Banjo
Bluebell Madonna
Camera
Coco
Daisy Boo (Daisy is alright, but Daisy Boo?)
Denim
Diezel
Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen
Dweezil
Fifi Trixibelle
Freedom
Heavenly Hirrani Tiger Lily (Heavenly alone is more common, but Tiger Lily?)
Maddox
Moxie CrimeFighter
Pax
Peaches (not a nickname!)
Pixie
Poppy Honey (I’ve heard Poppy – maybe it’s the combination)
Pilot Inspektor
Reignbeau
Rumer Glenn
Scout Larue
Tallulah Belle (Not so bad, but is the best of the three hint)
Tu

While some have been publicized, others have slipped under the radar. How many did you guess? Well, good for you! Either you spend a lot of time at Celebrity Baby Blog or you are wildly searching the internet because you don’t believe anyone named their child one of the above. There were more names, but my blog entry would have been too long. Add one in the comments if you think it’s worthy.

Answers in the next Miscellaneous post.

Men: Eddie Cibrian

Eddie
Cibrian

Name: Eddie Cibrian (Edward Bryant Cibrian)
Best Known For: TV Show Young and the Restless
Year of Birth: 1973
Status: Married (Brandi Glanville)
Height: 6’2”
Fun Fact: He is involved in the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Eddie has dimples. Doesn’t that sum it up quite well? I thought he was cute when he was in the movie “The Cave,” but really it was perusing a site about hunky men that got me hooked. He is also did a couple of episodes of a TV show called Samantha Who?

I know, another married guy. But aren’t they always the ones who are taken? No? So my next guy will be single.

*UPDATE* SQUEAL! Eddie's been guesting on "Ugly Betty" - um, yea!

Chocolate: Dagoba Bar

Heaven. Someone gave me a Dagoba Bar and I died and went to heaven. Of course, I got kicked out as soon as the bar was gone, but it was great while it lasted. Shortly thereafter I went on a great search for another Dagoba. I have not found them – yet. I started with a web search.

They were easy to find and full of information. They have this whole history part of their website touting the fact that they are organic (read Full Circle Sustainability). I think that’s great! However, it is the taste of this bar that makes me melt. They also have interesting flavors like chai and lime. Although, if I have milk chocolate I’m good. Finally they are gluten free, which was how my friend came to be in the possession of the bars in the first place. I can handle gluten.

What I found most interesting was how they selected their beans. They use a process meant to keep the true taste of chocolate in the forefront. This is where they have earned my hard earned adoration. The website gives a large list of places to buy them and allows you to buy them online. There are a few stores I want to go to so I can find a bar, but I’ve been busy. I have been carrying around the wrapper for nearly 8 months. No kidding. If you are lucky enough to be anywhere near one then give it a try and get me a pass back into heaven.

Books: Kay Hooper

Book time! I wanted to pick a book for children because I have an affinity for them. Expect me to talk about children’s books soon. Instead I picked one of my favorites for enjoyment. Depending on how you look at it, cool or horrible, I’m a fan of romances. I know, you're thinking horrible.

There is nothing like the fantasy of a very nice looking man finding you attractive enough to pursue. A man who is romantic and thrilling. One who has a sense of humor and is a little mischievous. Chivalrous, but not chauvinistic. Supportive and caring, but not controlling. Great in…ahem.

While I like a good romance, I also like thrillers. Funnily enough, serial killer thrillers float my boat. Now you’re beginning to wonder, eh? Put a romance with a killer thriller and you’ve got a hit with me. There is a wonderful set of authors who were romance novelists who now write thrillers and delightfully combined the two. One such author is Kay Hooper.

I’m writing about Hooper in particular because she adds another of my favorite elements to her stories: the paranormal. In one of her series, she has created a special unit of the FBI that is comprised of people involved in the paranormal. Telekinesis, clairvoyance, telepathy, precognition, psychometry and mediumship are normal for this group of investigators who track down those people that the regular FBI can’t seem to manage. They get inside the killers’ heads, capture them, and then…fall in love!(No, not with the killers.)

All in all, they are a fun read, but like any other set of books you have to like the type. If you aren’t into romance or paranormal these won’t be your cup of tea. If you like what you’ve heard, Hooper has a whole series for you to enjoy – the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series. There are three completed themes (Shadows, Evil, and Fear) all having to do with the same group of people. Hooper started the fourth theme this past year (Blood). I’ve left the link so you can read them in order (‘Cuz I’m OCD like that!)