On my December 23, 2009 Costco shopping, I bought a bag of Foster Farms' Hot'n Spicy Wings. They didn't have Tyson's Wings of Fire. From that time, for 2 years, there was no Wings of Fire. We had Hot'n Spicy Wings. But, I like Wings of Fire better. As Dos Equis man woud say. "I don't always eat hot wings, but when I do, I prefer Wings of Fire."
I was disappointed they Costco took away Wings of Fire. Then around December 2011, I saw Wings of Fire back at Costco. As of February 2012, Costco is still promoting Wings of Fire by sampling them. People stop by to eat those wings. As much as I love Wings of Fire, I wouldn't eat there standing up with my hands. It's not my style. But, I tell ya, I wanted to talk to people who just ate those wings up close, so I can smell their greasy upper lips.
Costco replaced Wings of Rire with Hot'n Spicy Wings for exactly 2 years. There has to be some kind of inside story (2 years contract, etc...). Anyway, this is a pleasant news to me.
* I know, I know... I took a picture of an empty bag of Wings of Fire 2 years ago. I know it's crazy. But, you should know me by now. I need to find a girl.
Pictures
Below: Older Package of Tyson's Wings of Fire - Sold by Costco Photographed December 2009 Costco stopped selling Wings of Fire from this point
Below: Foster Farms' Hot'n Spicy Wings - Sold by Costco Photographed December 2009 Costco carried Hot'n Spicy Wings for 2 years, until December 2011
Below: Tyson's Wings of Fire - Sold by Costco Photographed January 2012 Package now have new design
FYI: I'm not gay. Those who follow my blog know me.
I was shopping for clothes online and found this video. Andrew Christian makes men's clothing. They made this video to promote their business and to recruit guys like me to their team. Haha..
These guys are hot. I was impressed as a straight man.
I can see how some people might get offended. But, I know most people should enjoy. Anyway, use your discretion and play video.
There is no nudity. It's not any worse than any other music video.
* We should have these guys washing cars at Costco sometime. :)
PS. Carwash? Cold water? These guys are stuffing. I guarantee.
REOPENING - TAMASAKAI, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 24, 2012 KOBE SEISHIN, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 25, 2012 RELOCATION - ANCASTER, ON, CANADA - MARCH 8, 2012 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA, USA - MAY 3, 2012 CHICAGO (SOUTH LOOP), IL, USA - JUNE 2012 CORALVILLE, IA, USA - JUNE 2012 PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI, USA - JULY 2012
I bought a Vitamix blender (5200) and I feel very positive about it. Vitamix is a heavy duty blender that will crush and liquefy the entire fruit (seeds, skin, and all).
I've been checking Costco.com but they only had complete packages for $649.99 each.
Costco now carries cheaper model, 5200c at warehouse (not online). This is Costco only model, they are $379.99 each. Their cookbook is not included in this box. But a $50.00 coupon to buy the cookbook ($50) is included.
Finally, yesterday I went to Costco to pick up a Vitamix blender. And I saw a Vitamix roadshow going on there (son of a gun). The pitchman gave me a good overview of the machine. And a fellow shopper convinced me to drop Costco model (5200c) and buy their regular model at $15.00 more. So, I bought their regular model 5200 for $394.99. A cook book and a CD are included in this unit. This unit sells for $449.99 at Vitamix's official website and elsewhere.
I am happy with my purchase. I saved $55.00 plus $25.00 shipping on Vitamix 5200 standard, thanks to Vitamix roadshow at my Costco warehouse.
I wanted a Vitamix blender for some time. I've been making juice every weekday for last 4-5 years. That's roughly 1200 days of juicing, 2 juices a day, totallying 2400 juices. But, all this time there was something that didn't make sense to me. I throw out a lot of pulp every morning. I thought, if anything, I should be eating the pulp and throw out the juice. My common sense told me that pulp must have more nutritional value than the juice.
With Vinamix, there is no pulp to throw out. Pulp will get crushed & get liquefied. So, from this point, I will buy 60%, maybe 75% less fruits and vegetables then I used to. I will no longer buy 25 Pound bags of carrots. I figured the machine will pay for itself in 1 year or less. So, if you have a family of more than one and juice every day? You must buy Vitamix for sake of saving money.
But, money aside, I believe Vitamix is much healthier than juicing.
PS: Yes, I (briefly) thought about taking my 3 years old juicer back to Costco for a refund. That will make my Vitamix $294.99. But I decided not to do that. :)
Vitamix 5200c Vs 5200 Costco model, 5200c, is the best price you can pay for Vitamix Blender. It has the same powerful motor. It will work just as same as any other Vitamix Blenders. The only difference is that it comes with smaller container. And it has different finish on switches. In fact, it *almost* makes me to think maybe 5200c are older models that they are trying to get rid of.
Have you seen this commercial? It's a dating website for people over 50.
So, what's up with that annoying, new generation, teenybopper love song in the background?? Did they really think old folks would associate themselves with crap like that? I am offended as an old person.
The audio and video don't match. Don't you see?
Check this out. For over 50, you need to play this song. Whoever put that cow bell there was a stroke of genius.
If you don't remember Kathleen Edward, please watch this video. If you want to know more about this story, watch more videos on this page. (click "read more" below)
2 people mentioned these items that I had to try them myself.
Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo: Bluefacez reviewed Kirkland Moisture Shampoo last month (here). Oh, yes, this shampoo is good. It's high quality and SLS free, so it's a bit pricey. But, it's concentrated. I have long hair, way longer than shoulder length. I don't even use a full pump when I use this shampoo. It's that concentrated. This is officially the shampoo I am going to use for many years to come. Thank you Bluefacez.
Newhall French Roast Coffee: Pennie mentioned Newhall French Coffee (here). She freaked out because her Costco warehouse stopped carrying them. I contacted Newhall Coffee and confirmed that they are only available at selected Costco warehouses. Today, I happen to drive by one of the Costco Warehouses that carry Newhall Coffee. So, I picked up one bag.
Newhall's French Roast Coffee is $11.99 for 2lb bag. It's Much cheaper than Starbucks French Roast. Surprisingly, Newhall French Roast Coffee tasted "slightly" better than Starbucks French Roast. It's somewhat less acidic (less bitter) than Starbucks, but bitter non the less. My regular coffee, Cubita Dark Roast (this one) is simply the best. So, I will keep buying my expensive Cubita Coffee. I will not buy Starbucks Coffee anymore. I am not sure if I will buy Newhall Coffee again. Let's see if I will finish this bag first.
Costco... seriously, you've gotta love it. Costco brings so much joy in life, it's ridiculous.
PS. I've been using Kirkland Signature's Moisture Conditioner for a few years now. This is the only conditioner I use. It smells good, it feels good, and it's also SLS free.
Last year, I wore Santa hat for a full month until Christmas. I wore my Santa Hat out on Thanksgiving night. People said "Merry Christmas" to me on Thanksgiving night. Christmas 2010 was long and fun.
This year, I've only worn my Santa hat three times so far. We now only have 12 days left until Christmas. I haven't done anything yet. This is sad. I didn't plan for this.
So, I came up with plan B.
I shall go out and do something every night after work until Christmas. I will do mostly shopping. And I will go look at Christmas lights, take pictures, and etc... My goal is to enjoy Christmas spirit until I am physically tired and cannot take it any more.
Update: So far I am loving my 12 Days of Christmas Plan B. I feel very good. I feel strange that I go out like this alone. I am finally enjoying Christmas in the air. Anyway, I believe there is nothing like a Christmas in your own house with your own family. If you are single, you must be strong during the holiday season. Don't get depressed. God bless single people.
December 25, 2011 (Sunday) - Merry Christmas! I woke up early and did my 3rd annual Coin up Laundry thing. I put coins in all machines (3 washers & 3 dryers) so whoever doing laundry will get free wash & dry. We have a lot of poor people living in here, that's why I started this. I had a nice morning coffee. Now I shall make turkey...
December 24, 2011 (Saturday) - I drove over 2 county lines for a family gathering. I played Christmas song with my acoustic guitar. My father took us to a seafood restaurant and said "Eat whatever you want." When my father says that, you better go for expensive ones. No time to be polite.
It's Friday. I'm still at work, but nobody is working. We are so distracted. I guess we will all go home early today.
It is my ultimate goal to have Christmas with my own family in my own house. I want to have that magic moment, too. I'll have to find a girlfriend first. :) Until then, I will keep it positive and enjoy the season as much as I can.
3 more days to enjoy Christmas~! I am having wonderful time so far.
To me, now is the worst time to go to Costco.
I will not go to Costco anytime soon.
Because, I bet Christmas is no more at Costco by now. It's over. It's a little sad.
Next time I go to Costco, they will have rose bushes and stuff, maybe, getting ready for spring season.
Christmas comes very early at Costco. In return, they take down Christmas early.
7 More days to enjoy. God bless everyone.
I wish I make a lot of money next year so I can hold some kind of stupid competition and give away prizes. :)
* Stupid is cute. Stupid is good. People who can enjoy stupid stuff are the happy ones.
I am still struggling to feel Christmas in the air. But, I am so busy and tired. I cannot believe Christmas is only 2 weeks away. 2011 is almost over. I am missing out on all the good things. I would like to go to a mall and spend 30 minutes looking for a parking spot. I want to hear babies crying in the store. I want ugly people to cut in front of me at the checkout line. I want to do store hopping until my legs hurt, then I would go back to the store to return items. I would love to have those magic moments for Christmas 2011.
Back to reality.
I woke up with no hot water at my apartment. I had to boil a pot of water and give myself a bird-bath. I went to work super late with wet hair (I have long hair). Thank God it's Friday.
I try to go to Costco often until Costco takes down Christmas. I put on my Santa hat and headed out to Costco.
At Costco, a young family with a baby girl in the cart saw me. The mother kept telling the baby girl that I was Santa. The father asked me to say "Ho ho ho". So, I said "Ho ho ho" to the baby. Shoppers around us smiled at us.
Today's Costco shopping was about holiday teat for myself. I don't have a family of my own. I don't even have a date this year. So, I shall treat myself with good food. There will be a full course Christmas dinner. There will be shrimp cocktail, crab legs, drinks, chocolates, and much more...
I was happy to see Center Cut Ham Fillet for $11.00. This will be my main dish for Christmas dinner.
I have a high hope for this margarita mix I picked up for $9.99. It's all mixed and ready to drink. I shall crush ice with ice pick for this drink. My refrigerator doesn't crush ice like rich people's do.
After Costco shopping, I ate a hot-dog and filled my gas tank. At the gas station one tall gentleman saw me with my Santa hat. "Did you get my list?" he asked. So, I said "Yes, I have to go home check it tonight." We smiled.
It's always good time at Costco. I would pay to shop there.... Oh, I do. :)
I am too busy and tired to update this website. I will try not to disappoint frequent visitors. I understand a lot of people like my blog for my slow and ordinary stories.
I made so little money last month. I made less money then I spent. If our clients pay their bills, maybe I will receive second paycheck around holidays. We'll see.
Although I am physically tired, it's Friday and I feel great.
It's Christmas time. So, I put on my Santa hat and headed out to Costco. Yes, my Santa hat is back. I had to wave at 3-4 little kids because they were looking at me with the Santa hat. They could not look away. They are kids. So, I wave at them.
Costco was a good time. I had fun. We only have 2 more weeks to enjoy Christmas time in Costco. I plan to go to Costco 1-2 times before they kill Christmas. Time flies so fast. I am too busy to enjoy this sentimental feeling. And I'm not even making good money. It's not fair.
All and all, it was a good shopping experience. I feel more relaxed now. My favorite Costco employee checked out my stuff today. Oh my God, she's so cute. It's not like I want to ask her out or anything... she's just very cute.
I didn't really have anything specific to buy at Costco except eggs. So I bought random items. See that crab legs? That's my treat for holiday season. It's a 3 pound box. I plan to eat them all in one sitting, like a pig. Oink.
Happy Christmas season everyone. I hope you are having fun. I hope you have time to enjoy the season in the air.
My neighbor called today. She said she's short cash and needed help. She needed to borrow $53.00. So I told her to come over. I know her financial situation. I couldn't say no.
She came over with an empty bottle of beer. She gave me the bottle and asked me to buy her 50 bottles of that beer for her 50th birthday. It was some kind of funky (cheap) beer from 99 Cents only store.
Then she tried to haggle the amount of money she can borrow. We settled at $63.00, and I gave her the cash. She cut me a post dated check. I made a statement that there would be a good chance her check will bounce. I told her I will talk to her before I cash it.
Then she saw my tequila and wine. I offered her my booze that I never drink. My Tequila was 4+ years old. She was downing shot after shot.
Then she read my palm and told me I will become disabled in a few years and die in 20 years. I thought that was pretty messed up.
At 8:54pm she said she was hungry that she didn't eat anything the whole day. She asked me if I had any food in the house. Since I was not ready for a guest, I offered to take her out to a fast food restaurant. There, she started to haggle which restaurant I can take her. She wanted me to take her to a fancier restaurant. "It's 8:54pm, everything will close in 6 minutes", I said. But, she asked me to call the restaurant and order a dinner to pick up. She was very excited about free meal. She rushed me to hurry up and make a phone call. What she was asking was not realistic.
Everything I try to do for her, she was haggling to get more.
That's when I told her politely that she should go back to her own apartment and cook for herself. "I can't believe I'm being kicked out" she cried.
I gave her the opened bottle of wine, which made her happy. Then she asked me if she could take tequila as well. This time I said "No" in more firm manner.
Then she asked me if she could take my hat. And she muscled her way to my bedroom and saw 30 jars of Yankee Candles. She told me she wanted to take a candle. She was drunk, and she was about to grab my candles (glass jars). So, I had to stop her.
At this point we were literally pushing and shoving each other. She was heavier than I was, so I had to really fight her. And she was giving everything she's got to get to my candles. At one point we fell on the carpet, still wrestling to gain control of each other. It was a nightmare. I couldn't believe how quickly it became a wrestling match. She looked around for something to take. She grabbed my camera and asked if she can keep it. I snatched the camera off her hand.
I propped her up an took her to my car. I was afraid she would puck in my car. I took her to her apartment and got the heck out of there.
The End
PS. Don't worry, it was not that bad. She was just drunk.
Update: I took the check to her bank and successfully cashed it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. This is my Turkey 2011 Mini Blog (Newer post on top)
I've been making turkey for last few years. I had a female friend with me last year. But, I'm usually cooking alone for myself. I will be home alone this year. This is not sad. I cook something special every weekend. So, this is fun for me.
* My opinion on brining: I think brining is just a hype. I would prefer taste of pure turkey. I would not put sugar in wine. I wouldn't put A1 Sauce on a good steak. I will adhere to my Epicurean philosophy and enjoy the taste of pure bird. I gave brining a fair chance. And now, I officially declare myself an anti-briner.
November 25, 2011: Leftover taste even better. It makes me sleepy just as same.
Thanksgiving Day (7:00pm): Live video is now switched back on to candles. I put away leftover and finished doing dishes.
Thanksgiving Day (4:45pm): Oh My God! This is the best meal I ever made this year. Ah~ hahahaha~! very happy. :) :) :)
Thanksgiving Day (4:00pm): The bird is out of the oven. It's burned on the top... I hope inside is better. Making side dishes now.
Thanksgiving Day (2:00pm): The bird is in the oven. A lot of snacking going on. (wine, chocolate, shrimp cocktail...)
Thanksgiving Day (11:00am): Woke up late. Live camera is now pointing at my kitchen. Started by making coffee... a lot of snacking & TV watching going on.
November 24, 2011 (2:30am): I got wise and made some changes inside the cooler like this (below).
November 23, 2011 (Wednesday) - I went to Bed Bath And Beyond on my lunch hour and bought a turkey rack and a fat separator. After dinner, I put the turkey in brine in the cooler with ice. I used a Ziploc Big Bag.
November 22, 2011 (Tuesday) - After work, I mixed brine solution and did 3 loads of laundry. I wanted to take care of some work later (at night). But I fell asleep on the couch. I woke up with a stiff neck at 2am. ZZzz.
November 21, 2011 (Monday) - I bought more stuff such as vegetable stock, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, etc. It was a nightmare looking for sage & rosemary. They were sold out everywhere. I found the last of sage & rosemary at Ralphs. It was a Thanksgiving Miracle!
November 19, 2011 (Saturday) - Bought 11lb fresh turkey and ingredients for green bean casserole. It's beginning to feel like Thanksgiving.
As you know, times are tough, especially for me. But, thanks to Costco, I manage to treat myself with some fancy stuff now and then.
Without Costco, I will not enjoy stuff like this. Maybe I will find similar products. But, I'll have to look everywhere and shop around. that's a lot of time and effort. Costco put stuff together at low price. Costco makes it possible for me to use my small paychecks and enjoy good (fancy) stuff. Costco elevates my life-style. Hence, I love Costco.
Check it out.
Last month, I bought a can of Starbucks' Hot Cocoa (2.5lb). They had a $2.50 (?) coupon at that time. This is a good stuff. I tell ya, Starbucks is a brand name I hate to love. I try to avoid Starbucks products, because people who like starbucks seem rich and phony. But, I have their coffee, coffee mug, and now hot cocoa. Hot cocoa is slowly becoming my weekly routine. It gives me a cozy feeling, especially during the holiday season.
Check out the picture below, you can see my basil plants. :)
On my last Costco shopping, I finally bought a lobster tail. I only bought one tail, but this tail was over half a pound ($10.79).
I boiled it for 10 minutes; and ate it with lemon, butter & salt.
Oh my God! It was so good. I can't believe rich people eat like this whenever they want. I should eat 1 lobster tail every other month or so.
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