LOST vs Survivor

I just watched the long-awaited LOST season finale premier. Although on different networks, what would it be like if the producers of Survivor invited cast members of LOST to awaken their very dead series? Just a thought. And yours?

Lone Star Liquor

A couple of years ago I went to a vodka tasting that only bartenders were invited to. About 100 of us blind-tasted 6 premium level vodkas and we had to rank them in order from best to worst. The overall results crowned Kettle One as the winner, followed by Stoli, Finlandia, Skyy, Grey Goose and Absolut. Even though it came in second, I've always preferred Stoli. And Russian Standard Platinum deserves an honorable mention here as well. But now I have a new favorite...

Judging by the name, the first time I heard of Tito's I thought it was a tequila. And once I was informed correctly of what it was I remained skeptical. Seriously how good can a vodka from Austin, Texas be? Up until recently I had never drank an American-made vodka that really impressed me. Then I tried Tito's Handmade Vodka and here I am preaching about it. After being distilled 6 times, it's clean and refined without sacrificing any of that bold taste. And for all the people with wheat allergies, relax. It's gluten-free. I strongly urge you to try it and help spread the gospel. Cheers!

I'll have the Brazilian

Most fine rums come from the Caribbean. And cachaca hails from Brazil. Both are made from sugar cane. But the latter is made with fermented sugar cane to give it a unique and distinct flavor. A trendy drink made with cachaca is the caipirinha. It's similar to a mojito but without soda and mint. Another variation includes the caipiroska which is made with vodka. Nevertheless I'd like to introduce a very fine white rum produced by cachaca makers in Brazil called Oronoco. This exceptional rum has strong hints of vanilla and smells like poundcake on the nose. Enjoy it like I do, on the rocks. Superb for sipping!

Liquid Vinyl

I love it when wine labels come up with a creative way to market their product. It's catchy, fun, and makes the wine easy to remember (i.e. Fat Bastard Wine). So on that note, Three Loose Screws Wine Comapny have released a great Cabernet called B Side. They describe their wine as "a rare, unconventional and often less marketed release", similar to the back side of an album. So as a music and wine lover, it definitely caught my attention. Dark berry fruit, french oak, and earthy tannins round out this full-bodied Bourdeaux-style Cab. You can pick it up in the $25 range. That is of course, if you can find it! Kinda like a true B-side!

Mom's Coquito Recipe

'Tis the time of year to enjoy my Mom's famous coquito. Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican egg nog made with rum and served during the holidays. The recipe is quite simple:

Ingredients:
1 can cream of coconut
2 cans evaporated milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup (8 oz) white rum, Bacardi or Don Q
2 egg yolks
1 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch of nutmeg

In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of coconut, evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Be sure to shake the cans well. Especially the coconut, as to avoid any lumps. Beat the two egg yolks just so that they are runny and not whole and whisk those in also. Add your rum, more or less depending on how much fun you want to have. Whisk some more. Sprinkle in the spices and whisk again. Now using another large bowl, transfer the coquito into it and use a strainer. This will remove the last of the lumps. Cover and chill. Serve and enjoy!

Best of 2009 | Singles

Here's a compilation of songs that have been on my heavy rotation for this year of our lord, 2009. Not necessarily the best (because who's to say) but these are tracks that I've given most of my generous time to that were released this year. Listed not in rank or chronological order, but more in a mixtape style to the best of my judgement. I put some careful thought into this list. Unlike the top 10 albums list (posted at DMC) that, I must admit, I kinda phoned that one in. So here it is, MikeyHeiny's best singles of 2009. Although if I were to give out an award, it would be to Animal Collective for "My Girls" followed closely by "What Would I want? Sky" for best release this year. And as long as I'm handing out superlatives, honorable mention shout-outs go to Neon Indian, The Raveonettes, Fever Ray, Toro Y Moi, Discovery, and Passion Pit. Enjoy!

My Girls | Animal Collective
Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix) | Small Black
Shelter (Them Jeans Drum Edit) | The XX
Half Asleep | School Of Seven Bells
Walkabout (feat. Noah Lennox) | Atlas Sound
Seasun | Delorean
Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) | Phoenix
No Reasons | VEGA
Embrace (ft Ladyhawke) | Pnau
Hold the Line (feat. Mr. Lex & Santigold) | Major Lazer
The More That I Do | The Field
I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version) | Holy Ghost
Paris (Aeroplane Remix Feat. Au Revoir Simone) | Friendly Fires
Door Train Home | Fischerspooner
Jetstream | Doves
Velvet | The Big Pink
What Would I Want? Sky | Animal Collective
Feel It All Around | Washed Out
You Are the Worst Thing In the World - Telefon Tel Aviv
Ghost Symbol - Zero 7
Quick Canal (feat. Laetitia Sadier) | Atlas Sound
Blue Skies - Noah And The Whale
The Birds - Telefon Tel Aviv
Infinity - The XX
Love Test (Only) - Phaseone

So there's my top 25 singles for this year. Feel free to pop out the media player and listen at will. Since I posted a bunch of tracks, I feel legally obligated to recommend that you support the above listed artists. Thank you!!

Procrastination is a bitch!

Good grief its been a while. Life has been hectic lately, business and personal. I've neglected blogging recently. Partly because of my schedule and partly because I'm not happy with my default layout and I'm too lazy to change it. But regardless, it should be about content. Looks don't matter, right? I'll get around to it eventually. That should be one of my resolutions. No more bad habits is my theme. Procrastination being one of them. I've been putting off my Christmas shopping until the week of. So for all of us who have waited too late this holiday season, here is my Xmas wish list:

1. 3sixteen X Sabrevision Sunglasses - Grey

I actually owned a pair of these limited edition shades made as a collaborative effort between two companies until a friend of mine "borrowed" them and they fell off her head whilst riding on a motorcycle.

2. 8G iPod Nano - Purple

I don't like keeping my entire music library on my iPod. Eight is enough. Gigs that is. And yes, I want purple.

3. Hugo Boss Cologne

I've been wearing this stuff for years. I decided to switch it up and get Kenneth Cole Black and I never get compliments on my cologne anymore. Like the aforementioned sunglasses, I want it back.

4. A good serrated knife - The last knife to add to my kitchen. I don't necessarily need one. But I'd like to have one just in case.

5. A new turntable

It doesn't have to be the Pro-Ject Debut III pictured above. The sticker price is a little high on that one. But I could definitely use a new record player for listening purposes only.

6. Gift cards, I could put good use to gift cards to any of these fine establishments:
Express - for work shirts and under shirts. I also need a pair of gray dress pants.
Target - for anything really. But I need socks.
Apple - maybe for iTunes, maybe to purchase Apple TV.

7. T-Shirts from Imaginary Foundation (my second favorite t-shirt company behind Mother Falcon)

(specifically this one, size M)

8. Clue - The Office Edition

Fun board game from my favorite show. But I would be quite happy with any "Office Shwag".

9. And finally, the Adidas ZX 8000 Darth Vaders

Just because I'm 32 doesn't mean I still can't ask for Star Wars stuff for Christmas!