G.R.i.D. (Get Rich in Dallas)

I’m taking the weekend off, getting some version of a hawk and partaking in some kind of cookout somehwere. I might be getting Kaboomed as well and saving on some good records, too.

Happy 4!

I’ve decided Valentine’s Day sucks. And not just because I’m reluctantly single. Which will start bumming me out here in a few more days as VD gets closer. Sympathetic flowers sent to my office for consolation are more than welcome.*

But it does discriminate against my single kind. You know why? Because I can’t partake in the dining specials all these restaurants offer FOR TWO on that special day. OK, some are priced per person but then it just gets awkward and I don’t really wanna throw down 50+ bucks for an awesome dinner and wine special that might come with dessert.

To drive the stake through the heart even more, even the smaller restaurants are getting in on the action. Especially the ones I like such as Big D’s Dogs:

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No reservations required, and no wallet busting prices. Just ease on in with the one you’re with and enjoy the perfect food for Valentine’s.

We will be offering a set menu of your choice of hot dogs, basket of garlic fries to share with a side of our delicious Thai Chile Sauce, and a Raspberry or Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake Shake for two! All this for $9.69 per person.

This deal will only run until midnight on the day of St. Valentine.

By the way, we will be pouring a glass of red wine to set the mood, and it’s on us!

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I guess it’s going to be a frozen pizza night that night.

Damn you, St. Valentine!

* kidding

G.R.i.D. is signing off for the year. Time is needed to get ready for the night and figure out the whole driving/parking/cash situation. I’ll either see you at Victory Park or later at Club Dada!

I have a resolution for ya though…leave more comments!

Oops. Thought I mentioned that I’m taking off till the end of the holidays. Sorry! I am still alive however. I hope you had a good Christmas, have a happy Kwanzaa and all the best for the New Year’s.

to add to your caroling adventures.

If you haven’t gotten your tix yet, they are still available at the box office for tonight’s Turtle Creek Chorale Christmas show. But tonight they have a special guest! That Nikki Blonsky is so cute but I imagine she’s gonna blow ‘em away tonight. Oh, you know her. She was plucked outta nowhere to star in a little movie called Hairspray.

I won’t be there.

Local nonprofit and do-gooders Hope for Peace and Justice (H4PJ) reminded me of their video posted last year at this time regarding our ladies and gents overseas. I guess with the holidays in full swing, the vid is getting revisited and increasing their number of hits. Yeah, it’s borderline schmaltz but still tugs at ya. Especially for those who have family overseas. Bring ‘em on back! Here’s the official word:

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“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” a YouTube Hit

It has been a full year since the release of H4PJ’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” YouTube video and it has now surpassed 31,333 views. There has been quite a bit of activity in the comments section, both positive and negative. Here is one heartfelt comment posted:

My brother is Sgt. Andrew R. Weiss and he was killed in action on May 3, 2007. Anyone who would have the audacity to criticize a video like this at this difficult time of year obviously does not have any personal investment in this war. Our pain is very, very raw and real. Sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. I’m glad this was made. It honors our loved ones. Sorry that you cannot understand that.

If you have never seen this video or it has been a while since you have, please take a few minutes to remember and honor the men and women who have given of, and with, their lives during the war in Iraq. Watch now…

This time of year is especially difficult for soldiers and their families. We pray for their well-being and peace this holiday season.

They also have some big plans for 2008. I already mentioned that they are bringing in Maya Angelou to Dallas. Turns out, that’s not all:

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• In July, Art for Peace & Justice will sponsor Sarah Hickman’s “Music for Life” concert here in Dallas, as she seeks to raise awareness of the injustices in how we use the death penalty in Texas. This event will be held at the Cathedral on July 20, 2008.

• We also will host Sister Helen Prejean next year. Sister Helen is the author and subject of the book and movie “Dead Man Walking.” She will be our guest on Hope for Peace & Justice Sunday at the Cathedral of Hope (September 21, 2008).

Pretty sweet.

This month’s local Advocate magazine gives th top 18 Holiday Traditions You Don’t Want To Miss. Now, that’s a pretty big call. Some caught my eye. And…some didn’t.

Their number two slot went to the Scrooge Puppet Show at Northpark Center. Since I try my best to stay away from malls all year long, I won’t be checking this out but I have vague recollections of seeing it as a child. However, with this and other Northpark offerings (later in the list), parents can get away for CHEAP saving on kids entertainment going to Northpark and spending the extra cash on presents. Hmm…maybe not such a bad thing.

Number three gave an actual address of a house that will probably make Al Gore’s list of top ten energy wasters this holiday season. At 714 Newell, Liz Simmons graciously gives away her address and name to let Dallas know that she’s about to amp it up a heckuva lot more with her personal goal of hanging up a total of 100, 000 lights. Thanks, Liz! How many countries are suffering with your house alone? Well, at least Gore has your address. I won’t be stopping by to ooh and ahh at relative gaudiness by the looks of the picture. I’ll stick to my one strand of lights on my tiny tree.

To walk off the already extra pounds adding on since Halloween, the Dallas Trekkers are planning a six mile walk to view lights around the neighborhoods. So maybe, just maybe, the energy they are saving on gas, slightly makes up for Simmons’ house. Doubt it, but I like picking on her. They do warn that “spontaneous caroling” may occur. This comes in at number eight. I’d do this if I had a bike instead of walking.

Northpark comes it at number nine, 13 and 16 with neighborhood performers (read school performances), toy trains and the Real Santa Claus. Hey it’s all free. Go check it. Me? I’ll be at Big Lots.

Number 11 is a good deal over at HD’s clothing where they offer discounts on swag for canned food donations. The donations are collected for the AIDS Resource Center and West Dallas Mulitpurpose Center and the number of cans affects the amount of discount. Five cans = five percent discount and so forth. Sweet. They are taking donations until January 3. Get over there, donate and buy.

Now, to add irony to my picking on the lights lady above, Advocate recommends Cruising Swiss Avenue at number 18. I totally do this but mostly because the houses seem to know how to light up without looking like Viva Las Vegas. If the trekkers walk through here, I’d totally be there. But I’d be waiting for them in my warm car and then partake on that leg of the tour.

For the rest of the list, just go pick up an issue. They’re everywhere.

Shibboleth offers this again for your holiday festivities. I hope they don’t hate up on me for snagging their “vid” to throw on here but if it’s any consolation guys, it was a b*tch!!

Everyone enjoy and download the dang song for yourself!