J-E-L-L-O

Goodbye Jello shots and HELLO Pudding shots!

I have to preface this with a shoutout to TB for introducing us to such a creation during Francis' fabulous limo bus party. Thanks TB!

So some friends decided to make the traditional Jello shots for the party...while watching the chefs do their work, Tommy B found some boxes of Jello pudding and thought, "Why not?"

I believe the spirit of choice for the spiking was peach schnapps...and I have to say, it wasn't bad. It was a good start to a genius idea. I love pudding, I love alcohol...sounds like a winning combination.

After some intense discussions on optimizing the Pudding Shot, we came up with Baileys, Kahlua, any flavored rum, just to name a few. If you are going to improvise, proceed with caution and keep in mind the combination of flavors. For example, chocolate pudding and Kahlua would work perfectly...but lemon pudding, not so much. You get the hint.

I also found some recipes on the major recipe websites for the Pudding Shot. So we're not crazy, we just need to help support the cause.

Here's a recipe to get ya started:

Ingredients:
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup Baileys (or Kahlua)
8 ounces Cool Whip
Lots of itty bitty Dixie cups or steal some ketchup cups from Wendys.

Directions:
1. Mix pudding and milk until well blended.
2. Add vodka and Baileys, mix well.
3. Fold in Cool Whip
4. Pour into Dixie cups or "borrowed" Wendys cups.
5. Keep in freezer
6. After pudding is set...cheers!

Let me know of your own creations. I'll be enjoying these at the beach next week...

Do the Voodoo 2008

The Voodoo Music Experience lineup is out! Unlike last year, I will not miss the festivities. This is the tenth anniversary of the fest, so they are referring to it as The Tenth Ritual. Check out more online: www.thetenthritual.com


Highlights of the lineup include:

• JUST ADDED: Lil' Wayne (Hells yeah! Done and DONE!)
• Stone Temple Pilots (C'mon, what 80s baby doesn't want to see STP??)
  
• Deathcab for Cutie (yes I need to see them a third time)
• DeVotchKa
• Cold War Kids (saw them at ACL last year and loved them!)
• Lupe Fiasco (duh)
• Thievery Corporation
• Ghostland Observatory
• Joseph Arthur
• Tokyo Police Club (yay!)
• Ozomatli w/ Chali 2Na (They rocked at Jazz Fest..need to see them again!)
• Big Sam's Funky Nation (they put on a TERRIFIC SHOW)
• Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

I will be purchasing tickets for the fest.

New Orleans, October 24, 25 & 26th...why WOULDN'T you go? I'm in for getting a hotel...anyone else???

Confessions of a CC's addict

Hi, my name is Brandie and I'm addicted to CC's.  Every morning I curse the fact that Houston doesn't have a Community Coffee House and dream of having enough capital to put up so I could open my own franchise.  It would kill...I know the other Crescent City transplants would agree.  But until that day comes, or until I move back to Nawlins....Catalina Coffee is pretty close. 

I met the owner, Max, the week before the Washington Street joint officially opened.  He raved about how he had also become a CC's addict during his time in New Orleans and aspired to open a comparable place to get your caffeine fix.  Named after his madre, Catalina coffee is right around the corner from my apartment and is the perfect place to chill, work, listen to live music and drink the best coffee in Houston.  Oh yeah, and they have fresh French pastries and ice cream that Max makes in the store.  Mmmmm!

He's a perfectionist when it comes to coffee.  Even his ice coffee is 24-hour brew...because according to him, that's the optimum brew time for a perfect cup o chilled java.  I'll never forget the time that I ordered an ice coffee and he said, "Sorry it's not ready yet...still got another couple of hours."  

Catalina has been featured in this week's Houston Press...way to go guys!  Best of luck.

Music Report...FINALLY

I know, I know...I've heard it from many of you and the music report is back.  My apologies!

I'll start with some tracks that I can't stop listening to...

The Russian Futurists, "Precious Metals":  It's poppy and fun and you need it.

Mason Jennings, "Be Here Now":  I found it on my iPod while it was on random, and it is a terrific song. 

John Mayer, "Say":  So the guy has been making some mistakes lately, but this song is too good to toss to the side.  Just give it a listen.

Now for some albums (and thanks to those of you who provided the recommendations!):

Coldplay "Viva La Vida":  C'mon, you all knew I was going to mention this one.  I have to admit, that contrary to every other Coldplay album, I didn't LOVE it the first time I listened.  It definitely had to grow on me...but aside from the first two singles, Viva La Vida and Violet Hill, the track Strawberry Swing is my favorite.  The lyrics are stellar and the guitar is hypnotizing...

Cut Copy "In Ghost Colors":  If you like to dance and you love 80's music, then you will appreciate these Aussies.  It's very different than anything I've heard, which is always a good thing.  Tracks of note are Lights and Music & Out There On the Ice.

Wintersleep "Welcome to the Night Sky":  I love the lead singer's voice and the Weighty Ghost track is reminiscent of Peter Gabriel.

My Morning Jacket "Evil Urges":  Contrary to what the reviews say, you need this CD.  "Thank You Too!" is my favorite song and I definitely put it on repeat over and over again...

Elbow "The Seldom Seen Kid":  I've been a fan of Elbow for a couple years now and this new album is buy-worthy.  Grounds For Divorce and One Day Like This are my two favorite tracks.  

Amp Live "Rainydaze":  This is a free download from a San Fran DJ who remixed some of the In Rainbows tracks.  I'm a pretty harsh critic when it comes to remakes and remixes of music that I feel passionately about, but this is unbelievable.  There are rhymes by Too Short, Del, Chali 2Na....and a soulful cover of 15 Step...wow.

Well I think that's enough musically deliciousness for today.  Overindulge and enjoy!

Oh yeah...and the tickets for the Houston Coldplay Show (11.18) will go on sale Saturday 6.28 at 10am.  Let's hope I get my pre-sale this week...

For those of you who are curious why I'm traveling the globe...

I'm working with the major chemical and investment companies who want to produce polysilicon for solar energy purposes. I attended a solar technology conference in Moscow and had meetings there, Seoul and Taipei. We signed two contracts for new plant designs in the 12 days we were gone and we are going to Italy for another signing next week!! It's ridiculous how many companies and investors are jumping into this booming market and the press is JUST now starting the buzz...

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/ItsSolarPowersTimeToShine.aspx?page=1

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/OutOfTheSpotlightSolarWillThrive.aspx?page=1