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

Yesterday being my day off, I planned to get over early to IKEA to partake in hours of needless shopping. But more importantly, I wanted some of their cheap but delicious breakfast. The last time I headed over there early was with friend Shirley and we both had two full plates of food with coffee for under $5. And I mean that’s total. As in, I paid for both of us and it was under $5. Food that cheap but that good makes IKEA restaurant one of my new food meccas. Even if it is in Frisco.

Unfortunately, yesterday, some slacker friends held up my morning (you know who you are!!!!) and I didn’t make it out until noon with new beau Galen in tow. I drove a tad faster than normal hoping they might still serve breakfast up until noon but I knew my efforts were merely in vain. We got there and the breakfast sign at the door said “served until 11.” I was crushed. And hungry.

I had to mentally switch into lunch palate mode and we both ended up getting the herb roasted chicken plate. A plump size of “light-meat” chicken, as server T-Bone offered, with some mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley looked very pretty and a tad too contrived with the perfect circular serving of potatoes. I dug into the pots first and they were creamy perfection. Just enough consistency to know they were pots but smoothy enough to be delightful. The veggies were pretty to begin with - bright orange carrots, sunshine yellow squash and lots of green beans and lima beans. Steamed to a nice texture of soft firmness that would make no one be told twice to eat their veggies. But of course, the big star was the chicken. Perfectly juicy and nicely portioned, the skin was a glistened goldness and the meat was succulent enough throughout. Never a dry moment but never overdone either. And totally finger-licking good.

My one gripe though was every bite I seemed to take had small bone or gristle in it that took a long time to get past. Maybe I was just grabbing the wrong part of the chicken first but at the beginning it was pretty frustrating and many a bite just ended up in a napkin. Clearly not the restaurant’s fault but I wondered if just serving chicken cut off the bone would have been a better idea.

That’s a small complaint though compared to the delectable meal. And it totally made up for my breakfast cravings. Plus, with two soft drinks and a couple of rolls, lunch came in at a total of $15. For both of us! For a full plate meal that’s not out of the bag at $7.50, I’d totally go back. I just wish I had taken a pic of it. D’oh!

Plus, you haven’t heard me rant about their $.50 hot dogs. YUMMY! Guess I’ll just have to go back to give you an updated report.

Quite possibly the most ill-conceived event in Dallas, today is the Cedar Springs Merchants Association’s First Wednesday on Cedar Springs. Actually, the idea behind it is nice. the CSMA apparently came up with the event to promote a community feeling along with supporting the shops on the strip. It’s the execution that’s bad.

After going through their website photos, I was more depressed than excited. It looked like barely anyone goes to this thing. The empty Hunky’s patio, the lack of people at the shopping stands, the forced smiles on the merchants saying “look how much fun we’re having”. Sheesh. By the looks of those shots - no thanks.

The problem with a lot of it though is the shops themselves. If you’re in the market for club clothes or tacky trinkets, then yes, this is your place but that’s about it as far as shopping goes. Hopefully, Tapelenders will one day realize that they need to clearance all their atrocious pride items for about a nickel because seriously, does anyone need a rainbow windsock or hot air balloon decoration? I swear that inventory has not changed in 10 years. But really, none of the shops seem overly accessible like say a Walgreen’s tent might be. They are in the association but not sure if they have a sidewalk sale going. I’d be all over it if they had this on sale.

As for eats, well, there’s Buli’s with way too expensive drinks and food, Crossroads which is pretty much a ghost town and Hunky’s which will always please. Oh and there’s Black Eyed Pea but they always give me the shiz so I never recommend them.

But looking at these photos, clearly they need to rethink this stuff. That photo of the guy singing under a balloon arch was oen of the saddest things I’ve ever seen since Schindler’s List. And of course, the gays gotta have their dance music so a DJ was on hand as well. Forget all that. The association should consider hiring a party planner for this or at least me because this is what they need to do.

Sure the stores want some extra business but for this, just put them all together. Skivvies, Condoms Plus, come down a bit and set up next to the other guys. And then all of them should rotate whether they be in front of main drag, over in the Alexandre’s lot or even in any of the parking lots (especially the paid one on Throckmorton). Just put it all together.

All the dining spots should make some room for live entertainment, mostly Buli and Crossroads. And by that, I mean not a DJ but a local musician with some good rep on a guitar. Something that simple. Get more booths by local organizations a la Youth First Texas or DIVA. And face it, is anyone going to buy several hundreds of dollars of art from a glorified garage sale? Probably not. Rethink the artists or have them paint pets or quickie portraits.

Caven should also do a Crusin’ the Crossroads as well so something will be going on both sides of the street. Have the sports teams do a car wash and please, whatever you do, don’t have another scavenger hunt. Those gift boxes are so not worth the trouble. And Union Jack/Skivvies, put out stuff that’s a little more desirable for the everyday man. Regular boxers, tees, socks - trust me, I don’t want to look at clothes I can’t fit in.

But that’s just me thinking out loud. After looking at those pics, I don’t feel particular compelled to make it down there tonight. Tell me what you think after watching this (warning - this video makes me cringe):

In the past few months, I’ve either sold a bunch of my DVD’s or have given them away thinking “I don’t really need 700 of these.” But that was before CD World came a callin’ my name with this.

That might not be a bad idea thanks to Idol Records. They’re having a sale and seeing that’s it’s past one a.m., I’m gonna let them tell you about it.

IDOL HOLIDAY SALE

We are having a huge holiday blowout sale at our on-line store www.idolrecords.com   All releases have been reduced to $10.00 or less (including free shipping!) All orders ship out the same day and will include a free Idol Records Holiday sampler CD that includes Yuletide hit’s from Black Tie Dynasty, PPT, Glen Reynolds, Watershed and Cold Cash Machine.   Also check out out classic Christmas album “Electric Ornaments” featuring 22 Christmas songs from Idol Artists including Centro-matic, The Deathray Davies, Chomsky, [DARYL]and others.

OK, you jean freaks. Need lots of denim for cheap? This weekend is the time to do it. So whether it’s for gifts or for yourself, I hope you can make it out to the Warehouse Sale at Market Hall. In fact, I want you to go so bad, I’m giving you a coupon to get in for free. Cause seriously, who really ever wants to pay cover?

Now go shop!

I had no idea we were one of these neighborhoods. First I notice the Mother’s Day Home Tours, then the Fall Festivals at Halloween and now, the Junius Heights Arts and Crafts Fair. Tomorrow morning at 11, you can go to Junius @ Henderson to commence the fair/home tour.

 And no homey arts fair is without its raffle and food sales. I just gotta win that macrame tablecloth.Besides, it’s supposed to help local artists. That’s the neighborly thing to do. But what I’m most curious about is the fact that they have live music and dj’s planned “providing unique entertainment” along the way. Okaaay. Not sure what that means but I’m fascinated. 

Now, this isn’t my thing but I went for a run/walk down that way and these homes are NIIIIICE. I mean, like NI-ICE. Old school architecture and just grandiose in nature. And it took everything in me to not go roll around on their lawns. Sooo, I must admit, I’m considering it. If only to see the insides of these mansions. Maybe I’ll see ya there. I’ll be the guy doing grass angels on their lawns.

When : Sunday Nov. 11th 11am - 5pm

Where: Munger Park (Junius @ N. Henderson )

Just when I think I have this city all figured out there’s a new surprise. Or disappointment. However you look at it. Did anyone else know about this?

So let me get this straight. All the used stuff and unclaimed property the city gets, they sell every Thursday. For cheap? And this has been going on since 2003? Seriously. How I didn’t know about this is beyond me. And some of the stuff they have from what I read here (PDF alert) is pretty amazing stuff: jewelry, top of the line bicycles, clothing, sports equipment, electronics and EVERYTHING IN ELSE IN THE WHOLE WORLD! I think I’m about to pass out from a lethal combination of ignorance and anticipation.

There is fair warning though to get there early. This uber-garage sale starts at 7:30 am (yawwwwwwn) and goes till 6 pm but from what I gather, supershoppers go and brave the long lines that apparently and obviously form.

Might be worth it though.

The City Store

3131 Irving Blvd., Suite 605 (warehouse)

214-670-6269

This could be you with a great find.

So what’s the latest buzz in local shopping excursions? I don’t know for sure but after Merritt turned me onto Pop Logic, I’m banking on this new retro shop in Lower Greenville. They are the latest in cool kitsch but for the longtime East Dallas denizen or at least those in the local-know it’s nothing new. Here’s their mini myspace bio:

We are POP LOGIC and are located @ 1929 Greenville Ave. in Dallas, Texas. You may have visited us at our previous location in Lakewood ~ Metro Retro. People ask why we changed our name …. we grew tired of the over-use of the words vintage and retro. Enough said? Although the name has changed we still have the same great stuff in addition to lots more! Come see our new & recycled clothing, mod furniture, collectibles, gift items, movies, music & more. We are carrying some great new pop culture items … too many to mention with new stock coming in weekly. For years we were known to have the best white elephant gifts and stocking stuffers in town … a tradition we will proudly carry on! We won Dallas Observer Best of: 2002 ~ Best place to get that TV Land Look 2002 ~ Best Impression of Grannys Attic 2003 ~ Best place to succumb to the kitsch 2004 ~ Best Retro Candy. Come check out our new location … you won’t be disappointed!!! Our summer hours are Thurs ~ Sat 12-7 and Sun 1-5. Extended hours coming soon! Questions or directions… 214/887-6888 DON’T Forget—we will be THE place to come for your vintage aluminum Christmas tree!

 Kudos to them for bringing the fun stuff a little closer in. With the now troika of Dolly Python-House of Dang!-Pop Logic, I should never be short on the fabulosity. Where else can I buy this stuff…and not waste gas? This I ask. 

 

 

By the way, the really want new friends. So jump on the bandwagon and add ‘em to yer myspace. Do it!

I hate being a sucker for informercials but for whatever reason, I could never tear myself away from the Magic Bullet. I’m not sure if it’s the goofy cast of characters or how it makes me feel like I can do all these things but my remote comes to a screeching halt when flipping channels late at night. And now I bought one, albeit from Target where it’s on sale this week for $45. Fo’ sho’!

I perused my new 10 Second recipe book with excitement at all the things I will be making and even Googled it to see what reviews and other recipes there are. Great reviews and some delicious sounding recipes were all out there and even parodies on YouTube.

And now it’s time to begin planning a Magic Bullet Party where everything on the menu has been made by my new favorite appliance. Y’all better come! 

I’m just curious if any of you have one and your experiences with it. Or better yet, I need more recipes.

Dang. Local band The Hourly Radio is getting big for their britches and good for them. They’ve been touring all over the US and Europe and now American Eagle Outfitters has gotten a hold of them. Not really sure what the campaign is but American Eagle’s website is offering a free download of their song Deaf Ears from their debut full-length album History Will Never Hold Me. I already have that so I won’t need the download but I do love it and hope you make a stop at the site to snag the song and give them a listen. You won’t regret it. Took me a while to get past the almost too-high vocals but now it’s totally digable.

And if you make it out to American Eagle, they’ll be playing the Deaf Ears video for ya. At least that’s what the band says. But if you can’t, I’ll put it right down below for ya.

Although, I must say, if you’re needing clothes, head over to The Gap and fast. Jeans for $15 and lots more for cheap. Go now, yo!