LA Strange: A Story of Chocolate Whine

I am not a wine person.  I cannot stand wine.  Any wine. White, red, pink, orange, green, purple, whatever. I don't drink wine. I hate the taste of it.  The only time I drink wine is when it's chocolate (thanks to Christa).  Or Chocolate Raspberry. 

However, if I love something, I am always looking for other versions.  As a Russian would say: wisdom is found in comparison (все познается в сравнении).  Thus, I am always looking for new brands of chocolate wines to try.  Just in case they turn out to be better.  Or cheaper.  :)  And I was able to find a couple of other kinds of similar chocolate wine in Idaho. 

Now that I am in sunny California, I am also looking for new chocolate wine. My neighborhood Ralphs does carry my usual staple.  But LA has to have more than just one kind, right?  So here I was - in Culver City Pavilions.  And I see this right next to MY chocolate wine:

The front label states: "CHOCOLATE SHOP.  The Chocolate Lover's Wine. Red Wine with Natural Dark Chocolate Flavors."  DARK CHOCOLATE! I LOVE dark chocolate!

The back label states: "Chocolate Shop, the ultimate "Chocolate Lover's Wine" is a deep, ruby red wine blended with rich, velvety chocolate.  Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate combine in the glass and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder.  Nuances of sweet red wine lingers on the smooth finish (...oh, this sentence should have tipped me off...).  Chocolate Shop provides you with an indulgent wine experience like no other."  Who wouldn't want to try THAT?  AND it was less than my usual staple.  So I went for it.

Full of anticipation of promised indulgence, I get it home.  It is corked...  That should have been my second hint.  Panicked, I frantically searched for the corkscrew, insisting on calling it a screwdriver. 

I coulda sworn I had like FIVE of them in Idaho.  How do I end up with NONE in sunny California? ...But with three whisks? On the very day, when all I want is to get to that buzz?  That might have to be a different story...

Astounded, I walk to my Ralphs, debating whether I should buy a screwdriver or just another bottle of liquor.  Concluding that I really do want to try that new wine, I went for a screwdriver, making it a super fancy one to justify the trip with home improvement. 

The cork is out.  I don't normally bother with glasses, as I do not share my liquor...

...It is a wine. It is just a wine. Might actually be red as they advertise, I wouldn't know.  I am not a wine person.  It tastes just like regular wine.  No hint of chocolate, just damn nasty rotten grapes. Or whatever they put in wine.  Hmmm...

I tried another sip.  Same nastiness.  Pored into a wine glass.  Looks like red wine.  Took pictures.  Muscled out another sip.  Still the same. No chocolate.  None whatsoever.  Dang it!

What in the world would ever possess anyone to call it "an ultimate chocolate lover's wine"?  It tastes nothing like my usual creamy chocolatey delicious staple. 

The disappointment?  Immeasurable.  Even considered another trip to Ralphs - to return the screwdriver. At this point of unmet expectations liquor does not help anymore. 

I have tried a lot A LOT of different wines by now.  But this CHOCOLATE SHOP has managed to deceive me the most.  But don't trust my reviews - I am not a wine person.

LA Strange: The Good Life

It has been three months since I arrived.  I guess I should write more about my fabulous LA life.  Such stories as:

-          How you can spend more time searching for a certain pop art photography exhibit online than actually enjoying the exhibit…

-          Or how I am still trying to figure out where to store all my fabulous shoes on the three square fee that Los Angelinos call an apartment…

-          Or how I spend more on parking at the mall than on all my purchases together…

-          Or how you can spend less on a brand-name brand-new tuxedo jacket at your neighborhood Goodwill than on getting it dry cleaned…

-          Or how people draw penises on your dusty car windows…

-          Or how workers at the car wash are so lazy, you get tired just from watching them and just do it yourself.  At least that gives you an excuse not to tip…

-          How I hunt roachers naked in my bathroom…

-          Or about how even water tastes better in LA…

-          How you can spend half an hour in an attempt to find a parking spot on a Saturday afternoon and then still end up leaving, cuz really you don’t need to buy anything there THAT bad…

-          How it is theoretically possible to spend more on CRV for a case of water than on water itself…

-          How some guy was tripping out about my fabulous shoes in the elevator all the way from the 7^th floor to the 1^st…

-          How men are more of caricatures and cheap polaroids than framed art…

-          Or about how you can buy just about everything at a dollar store – even beer…

-          How every single man in the store has to comment on how good my legs look during my Saturday morning grocery shopping trip…

-          How all the shelves in my closest ghetto Wal-Mart are always empty, regardless of when I come there…

-          How your GPS purposefully sends you cruising around on the longest route, probably because it secretly has no idea where you are at…

-          How you cannot take shopping carts out of the store without police escort…

Despite all that…

Every time I walk out on the street, I smile as the song pops into my head…

This has gotta be the good life.

I Drive: The Sexiest Cars of All Time

The Sexiest Cars of All Time

Da Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Perfection

Brownie layer:

1 box (19.5 oz) dark chocolate brownie mix
1/4 c oil
1/3 c water
2 eggs

Cheesecake layer:

3 pkgs (8 oz) cheese cheese, softened
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
3 large eggs
2 cups (12 oz) chocolate chip, melted
A splash of vanilla extract

Bake brownie layer in the cheesecake springform pan according to box directions. Cool completely.

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Blend in sweetened condensed milk and the rest of the ingredients. Pour over the brownie layer. Bake at 300 F for 1 hour. Cool. Refrigerate overnight.

Variations:
Milk Chocolate Cheesecake: Use milk chocolate brownie mix and milk chocolate chips.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Cheesecake: Use regular chocolate brownie mix and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Butterscotch Cheesecake: Omit chocolate chips; use butterscotch pudding mix (4-serving size box) instead.

Tips:
The brownie batter is theoretically too thin to be baked in the springform. So pour it in right before you are ready to put in the oven. Also, place the pan on a cookie sheet to prevent drips.

I should copyright this recipe.  This is the best cheesecake you will ever have. 

Auto Brand Personalities

1.      Quiet and reserved – this brand prefers a casual, easygoing lifestyle that is responsible, realistic, and centered around home-life. It is not interested in taking risks, does not want to “stand out”, and prefers the tried and true.

2.      With a humble heart and deep convictions, this brand fights for worthy causes. It passionately stands up for principles, family, community, faith and country. Patriotic and rooted in traditional values, this brand strives to make the world a better place and inspires others to do the same.

3.      This elegant brand likes to look good, get dressed up and enjoy things that reflect a refined taste and fashion sense.  Close relationships, romance and deep personal connections are also highly valued. This brand surrounds itself with people and items that reflect who they are and make them feel special.

4.      Confident in its actions and unwavering in its vision for success, this brand is an independent leader. It does not follow the expected course, instead it believes the only way one can achieve greatness is to follow its own path. Social and spontaneous, a passion for living drives this brand to embrace new experience, take calculated risks and challenge itself to break new ground and accomplish what was once impossible. Charismatic and exciting, it is a luxury brand that is authentic, makes a dramatic statement and has a relentless desire to be the best.

5.      Guided by deep beliefs and traditional values, this brand is modest and reserved. Seeking spiritual contentment and looking after loved ones are high priorities.  It admires others who play by the rules, are respectful, nice and humble.

6.      Friendly, hardworking, practical and unpretentious, this brand takes great pleasure in spending time with friends and family. This brand is principles, honest, and committed to serving people at every point in their lives. Others respect this brand’s sense of fair play and integrity and see this brand often lending a hand or contributing to the community. When circumstances call, this is the brand that steps up to do the right thing.

7.      This thoughtful and imaginative brand lives life to the fullest through meaningful relations and new experiences. It tries to make a positive difference in the world and always has the courage to do the right thing. It believes life is about the journey and the discovery that comes with it, especially when it can be shared with others. Creative and open-minded, it appreciates beauty, harmony, and attention to detail. It is a modern luxury brand that invites you to come as you are.

8.      This fashionable brand loves to be the center of attention and get noticed. It is always working to be on-trend and never behind it. It admires those that are privileged and have it all. It doesn’t like to be alone – being surrounded by friends is preferred.

9.      This brand is a global citizen at heart. It leads with its brain, is understated, easygoing, and intelligent. It is interested in doing things of cultural significance, and in helping the environment.

10.  This brand leads by example with an understated confidence that comes from knowledge, discipline and rational thinking. Responsible, dutiful and serious, this brand sets high standards for itself and others. Only the best will do. It has an inner drive to seek out and conquer tough challenges.

11.  An acknowledged leader distinguished by courage and competitiveness, this brand is energetic and motivating, but also serious and authoritative. Thriving on challenges and innately knowing how to succeed, it appreciated the finer things in life – seeking the best that money can buy, and taking pride in having achieved the ability to do so.

12.  This brand is an adventure-seeking adrenaline-rush. It likes to bend the rules, live life like it’s a party, get a little crazy at times and do things others would be afraid to try. It is street-smart, rugged and rebellious.

Source:  Maritz Research
Does anyone know where this list came from?  Or which statement refers to what car brand?

I drive

The NVCS, which is the largest automotive study in North America, asked customers what sources of information they found most influential in their buying decisions. The top ten sources in the U.S. were as follows: 

1. Salesperson at the dealership (21.9 percent)

2. Family/ friend/ word of mouth (18.7 percent)

3. Consumer guides (18.4 percent)

4. Dealer’s/ manufacturer’s websites (8.6 percent)

5. Third-party websites (6.4 percent)

6. Automotive magazine reviews (6.1 percent)

7. TV advertisements (4.0 percent)

8. Dealer’s/ manufacturer’s brochures (3.2 percent)

9. Dealer/Manufacturer-sponsored event (2.4 percent)

10. Newspaper advertisements (1.7 percent).

Read more about Maritz Research’s New Vehicle Customer Study at www.therideblog.com .

Source:
http://www.maritzresearch.com/shared-content/Press-Releases/2012/New-Vehicle-Customer-Study-Reveals-Top-Sources-for-Automotive-Buying-Decisions.aspx

Additional info:
http://experiencematters.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/1007_the6lawsofcustomerexperience.pdf

LA Strange: On Hooking Up

I get hit on a lot here.  So much – it’s disgusting.  I can’t even go to the store without getting stalked.

So there I was. In VONS. In search of their $5 Friday deal on Tiramisu. This guy casually comes up to me and says: “I just wanted to tell you that I think you are very beautiful.” I, of course, get a smile up to my ears, “Awe… Tee Hee Hee...  Thank you… Tee Hee Hee… That makes two of us... Tee Hee Hee…” He looks me up and down like he is buying a TV and says: “I would love to hook up with you.”  Just like that.  In the middle of frozen foods.  Seriously? Is that how it’s done in LA?

The smile instantaneously fades.  I gave him the look I gave Mr. Dealer Cameron during our poker game.    O no you dit-ten! 

Him after a moment of silence: “So what do you say?”

Eh…  So obviously nothing.

“Boyfriend?” 

Oh yes...  Of course...  I have a boyfriend...  A nod.  Please leave me alone... Life is so much better that way.

Consumer Feedback

According to recent research, "consumers are more likely to tell companies about a bad experience than they are to tell them about a good one".

This is not necessarily true about all consumers.  I am exactly the opposite. 

The product or service has to wildly exceed my expectations for me to justify spending the time on writing a review for it or even answer a few multiple choice survey questions.  I am fully aware that my expectations are normally so high that it is practically impossible to even meet them. Thus, if the product falls short of satisfying my needs, I simply move on.  Our consumer-oriented economy has made returns fairly easy. 

However, a product or a company that goes out of its way to please me, excites me to the core.  I will always make the time to write reviews for products that captured my heart (which is another practically impossible task).   I will also write reviews for objects, services, and applications that I HAVE to use on regular basis – I have no other choice but to fight for improvement.  And that is the essence of the Perfection Pursuit.

Source:  Consumer Experience Matters.  Data Snapshot: How Consumers Give Feedback, 2012. http://experiencematters.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/data-snapshot-how-consumers-give-feedback-2012/

RANDOM TIP: Beauty

"Eat a Mediterranean diet full of fish, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and tea," says Dr. Macrene Alexiades, director of an NYC-based research clinic and private laser and aesthetic dermatology practice. "This diet provides the skin with the good omega fatty acids and antioxidants it needs to maintain a healthy glow and reverse sun damage."

Read more: Skin Care Secrets - Tips for Younger Looking Skin - Real Beauty

RANDOM QUOTE: Kenneth Cole

"How you see the world depends on how you look."

http://www.kennethcole.com/