Month: February 2025
I Need To Buy A New Television
My tv is caput! I bought my MiTv, which is an Android Smart tv, back in the butt end of 2018. The end of October I think and I’ve been having volume issues with it for several months and 3 days ago, the volume is gone. Initially was just a slight thing in that for movies and tv shows, I had to increase the volume all the way up to 50. The streaming shows, especially for Hotstar was fine.
And then slowly I started getting a disturbing noise in the movies and tv shows, especially when it sees bright light and white. It was annoying as heck but I kept thinking that it was fine, I would wait for a while and then finally buy a new one as the warranty had expired a while back and it was an over 6 year tv anyway. Well not yet 6 years when I first started noticing the problem but still. Also I was thinking that it might be time to get a new model when all of a sudden this week, the volume goes off completely.
I haven’t watched anything on my tv since then but managed to watch some tv episodes on my laptop. Saturday we have a 8:30 pm kickoff for the Arsenal vs West Ham game which I will stream via Hotstar on my laptop (I can do it on my phone but why) but I might not watch anything else until next week. I’m looking at online sales for a new tv. Watch this space for an update!
PRS Custom 24 2017 in Faded Whale Blue Smokeburst with Pattern Thin Neck
A Celebration Of The Beloved Muffin
The beloved muffin deserves a day of its own, and for that, we have February 20. It’s National Muffin Day! English muffins have been whipped up in kitchens as far back as a thousand years ago in Wales, and American style muffins have been around since the 18th century. Muffins are a great breakfast on the run, a perfect substitute for toast during brunch, and an easy treat to make and give as a gift. It’s also a great evening snack with you coffee or tea at your local favourite cafe.
The name “muffin” either comes from the German word “muffe” or from the French word “moufflet”, meaning soft bread. Muffins are called quick breads because they contain no yeast, and therefore, they don’t require all of the time spent on kneading, rising and resting.
Muffins may be varied by adding fruits, nuts, herbs, cheese, chopped meats or spices to the batter.
The Official State Muffin of Minnesota is the Blueberry Muffin.
A muffin’s shape should have a uniform, wellrounded top, free from peaks, with no cracks and be large in proportion to weight. The outside color should be an even golden brown, and be tender, with a pebbly or slightly rough and shiny surface. The inside texture should be moist, tender and light with an even, round-holed grain. The inside color will be creamy white or slightly yellow and free from streaks.
Comfort Food, A Struggle Meal, A Cheaper Meal That You Can Fix In A Jiffy
What is a struggle meal you actually like? (a struggle meal can be a cheap meal when finances are tight, or a low effort meal when you have no energy)
Maggi instant noodles – that is common across India. It is our Kraft Dinner or Kraft Mac & Cheese! When in bind, you go for the packet of Maggi in the cupboard. When you want to save money and not buy food from a nice restaurant or cafe, go and search for your packs of Maggi. A rainy day and you won’t want to go outside but you crave some comfort food, get some Maggi that is lying in your shelves. Once again, ever since I was a kid, Maggi has been a very large part of my life as it has been for yours.
And the best thing and most common thing is to make what is called Maggi egg burji or just Maggi eggs, which is basically just cooking scrambled eggs separately and then adding the cooked Maggi to it. Some people would like to add additional masala but I don’t. I find that the flavour packet that comes with the pack of instant noodles is good enough and if you want some additional taste you can add ketchup or hot sauce to it.
If you want to be fancy you can chop up onions or green onions, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, maybe some chicken or minced beef etc. Cut up bacon or hot dogs. Add whatever you want just don’t add too much masala to it as it takes away from the true taste of the instant noodles.
The Salty Goodness Of Monaco Biscuits
Monaco biscuits have been a staple of Indian households for a very long time. Salted biscuits or crackers as you may call them, they are marketed as a tea / coffee time snack. The Monaco biscuit is a small, flat-baked, salty biscuit, manufactured and marketed by Parle Foods. A light and crispy biscuit sprinkled with salt. Launched in 1939, Monaco pioneered the salted cracker category and is truly an anytime brand.
I think I first became aware of this biscuit in late 1988 when I saw ads of it on tv. A few weeks later would have been the first time that I bought a packet while my family was on a grocery store run and added one to the cart. I initially used to feel that they were a bit too salty but they did remind me of a similar tasting biscuit that we used to have in Kuwait. I probably didn’t buy another one for a long time. I instead went to other biscuits.
When I was around 21 or 22 I used to go, 3 times a week to Kottayam with my dad and accompany him when he went to his business office. Since we left at 6 am, I would also carry some lunch with me (and he would get rice & curry at the office). Mom would make Maggi noodles for me and put it in a thermos to which I would add a bottle of water and a packet of biscuits. One of them would be Monaco and I started like it a lot more. They are now a staple in my household.
Is Email Dying In The Plethora Of Options On The Internet?
No, email is not dying out despite the rise of newer communication platforms, it remains a widely used and essential tool for business and personal communication, with the number of emails sent daily continuing to grow, so it’s considered far from dead. I think the corporate world lives and dies on email and email communication, sharing of files and documents and with work it can show you evidence via a trail mail.
However, it’s important to note that:
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Evolution of usage:While email is not dying, its role might be changing as newer tools like instant messaging and collaboration platforms become more popular for real-time communication.
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Spam concerns:The influx of spam emails can sometimes make it difficult to find important messages.
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Generational differences:Younger generations might prefer alternative communication methods over email.
When I check my gmail id, it;s 98% garbage and usually only a handful of emails in a week that I actually bother to check and read. I I remember when emails first came out and getting an email from a friend or relative was a big deal. Also getting emails from the friends you made online was a cause for celebration. Now, it’s the equivalent of the permanent ugly duckling.
FOOD REVIEW #514
Why You Would Be Lucky To Have Me In Your Life
Why would someone be lucky to have you in their life?
Well I am a very sweet person. I am nice, loving, loyal, approachable and friendly and if I can do something to help you without inconveniencing myself, I will do what I can. I am a shoulder to cry on, I am a joke sharing machine. I won’t do anything to harm you unless you harm me or someone I care about. And even if you have an issue with another friend of mine, I will try and give you the benefit of the doubt.
I have been friends and continue to be friends with two people who can’t stand each other. They have me in common as a friend and I won’t change or stop being friends with the other. I do not like playing favourites, as they are friends. They are both good people but they just don’t seem to gel with each other and they rub each other the wrong way but I stick by each. I ain’t choosing among them and it works out for us.
I am a repository of dad jokes, bad jokes and dirty jokes. I love science fiction with a passion unlike most people. I am a great storyteller. I can sing with the correct lyrics to 100s of songs. I am entertainment personified. I am a hoot! And you will love me!
Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com
Some Facts About Costa Coffee
Over the past 52 years the company built a reputation as the leader of the U.K. coffee market niche. Founded in 1971 by Italian-born brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa, Costa Coffee stemmed from the wish to make quality, good-tasting coffee available to any coffee enthusiast in England.
Costa Coffee is one of the best-known international brands with a one-of-a-kind flavor that is deeply rooted in its history. The main purpose of the brand founded in London in 1971 was to develop a unique, well-flavored coffee and make it available to its customers. The Costa brothers knew a thing or two about coffee and wanted to share this expertise with the British public. They tested 112 coffee mixtures to find Costa’s signature blend.
In a few short years, the brand became well-known in London, and the brothers opened the first Costa roastery in 1978. Costa Coffee’s early business model meant selling its product to restaurants and hotels. The company’s style included a touch of class, as it made deliveries using London’s iconic black cabs. Three years later, in 1981, Costa opened the first Costa Coffee shop in London. The company kept the same classy image, serving coffee in fancy porcelain cups.
Another important landmark in Costa Coffee’s history was the 1995 acquisition by the international hospitality company Whitbread. With Whitbread, Costa Coffee grew from having 39 coffee shops to being the most important coffee shop company in the U.K..
According to Forbes, Coca-Cola acquired Costa Coffee to expand in the hot beverage (coffee) segment, as the coffee company had very good worldwide prospects. The acquisition was announced by both Coca-Cola and Costa Coffee’s parent company, Whitbread, in 2018. It effectively took place in the first half of 2019, for a reported $5.1 billion (via Coca-Cola).
It’s obvious that a coffee brand knows its trade when the picking, roasting, and mixing of its beans are all done in-house. Costa Coffee has long owned its roastery, but in 2017, a year before announcing the Coca-Cola acquisition, it opened one of the largest roasteries in Europe. Located in Basildon, Essex, U.K., the roastery represents an investment of $48.66 million and the location was chosen for its proximity to Tilbury Port, the place where the raw coffee beans used by Costa enter the country.
If you’ve ever tasted coffee, you know that the flavors can vary a great deal and the taste can make it or break it. To guarantee the best quality of its coffee beans, Costa Coffee’s Master of Coffee, Gennaro Pelliccia, had his tongue insured by Lloyd’s of London in 2009. According to The Telegraph, the insurance covered £10 million ($13.78 million). In an interview with Singapore’s Today, Pelliccia mentioned that most members of his family have worked for Costa Coffee. He began working there as a barista when he was 16, then, after several other jobs within the company, was certified as an “Italian espresso taster” by the Institute of Italian Coffee Tasters in 1999.
A very important step in increasing the diversity of Costa Coffee’s products was achieved with the introduction of ready-to-drink coffee options. Coca-Cola announced the launch of the product line in a 2019 press release. These are bottled versions of many popular Costa Coffee drinks, made with the Rainforest Alliance Certified Mocha Italia Signature Blend espresso (double shot) and milk. There are many available options for ready-to-drink Costa beverages. Among them are the double shot espresso flat white, the lattes (simple, caramel, and vanilla, in small or big servings), and the frappes (smooth coffee, choc fudge brownie, and the caramel swirl).
Key Steps To Make Blogging Your Business
To turn blogging into a business, you need to select a profitable niche, create high-quality content consistently, build a substantial audience, and then monetize your blog through strategies like affiliate marketing, selling advertising space, offering paid services related to your expertise, creating digital products, or establishing a membership community; essentially, providing valuable content that attracts readers and allows you to generate income from various avenues.
Key steps to make blogging a business:
Choose a niche: Identify a specific topic that you are passionate about and has a potential market, allowing you to focus your content and attract a targeted audience.
Create quality content:
Write informative, engaging, and well-researched blog posts that provide value to your readers.
Build an audience:
Utilize social media platforms, SEO optimization, email marketing, and guest posting to reach potential readers and grow your following.
Monetization strategies:
- Affiliate marketing: Promote products or services from other companies through affiliate links, earning a commission for each sale generated through your link.
- Display advertising: Sell ad space on your blog through ad networks like Google AdSense.
- Sponsored content: Collaborate with brands to create content that promotes their products or services.
- Selling digital products: Develop and sell ebooks, online courses, templates, or other digital products relevant to your niche.
- Membership community: Create a subscription-based community where members access exclusive content or features
- Consulting or coaching services: Leverage your expertise to offer consulting or coaching services to clients.
- Email list building: Capture reader information through opt-in forms to directly communicate with your audience and promote offers.
- Analytics and tracking: Monitor your blog’s performance using analytics tools to understand what content resonates with your audience and identify areas for improvement.
- Stay consistent: Regularly publish new content to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Important considerations:
- Legal aspects: Understand copyright laws and ensure you are properly disclosing any affiliate relationships.
- SEO optimization: Implement search engine optimization techniques to improve your blog’s visibility in search results.
- Branding: Develop a consistent brand identity for your blog to stand out from competitors.
And Now, JioHotstar Launches
Reliance and Disney have launched JioHotstar, merging JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar content libraries. Existing subscribers of both platforms can retain their plans but must use JioHotstar. First there was just HotStar, the streaming platform started by the Star channels. Then Disney merged or acquired it and it became Disney Hotstar. Which was good and it had a lot to offer. Disney+ Hotstar in India merged with JioCinema on 14 February 2025 to form JioHotstar.
The brand was introduced as Hotstar for a streaming service carrying content from Disney Star’s (formerly Star India) local networks, including films, television series, live sports, and original programming, as well as featuring content licensed from third parties such as Showtime among others. Amid the significant growth of mobile broadband in India, Hotstar quickly became the dominant streaming service in the country.
Following the acquisition of Star India’s parent company 21st Century Fox by Disney in 2019, Hotstar was integrated into Disney’s global streaming brand Disney+ as ‘Disney+ Hotstar’ in April 2020. The co-branded service added Disney+ original programming, and films and television series from its main content brands of Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic alongside the domestic and third-party content already carried on the platform. In November 2024, Reliance Industries and Disney concluded $8.5 billion merger of their media assets. In December 2024, Reliance Industries acquired the domain jiohotstar.com, giving rise to speculations that Disney+ Hotstar and Jio Cinema would officially merge into a single platform.
FOOD REVIEW #513
Tuvix – Captain Janeway Had Only One Option And She Did It!
“Tuvix” is the title of the40th episode & 24th in the second season of the science fiction television program Star Trek: Voyager. It is also the character name of the guest star of the episode. The episode originally aired on May 6, 1996, and tells the story of Tuvok and Neelix being merged into a unique third character named Tuvix. Lieutenant Tuvok and Neelix are sent to collect botanical samples from a class-M planet. When beamed back aboard Voyager, the two men and the Orchidaceae they collected are merged at the molecular level to become a single lifeform which names himself Tuvix (played by Tom Wright). After ruling out transporter malfunction, the crew discovers that when demolecularized, the genetic material of the alien orchids acted as a symbiogenetic catalyst and is the culprit for the combination of the two crewmembers. Unfortunately, the process cannot be reversed, and Tuvix is accepted as a member of the crew with the rank of lieutenant, functioning as chief tactical officer in Tuvok’s stead.
Despite initial apprehension, over the course of the next 2 weeks Tuvix becomes an important part of the crew, filling in as chef when he was not on bridge duty and improving upon Neelix’s cooking. He tries to get close to Kes, who doesn’t mind him as a friend as she understand that he has the wisdom & logic of her mentor Tuvox and the feelings for her that Neelix has. But she misses the two of them and wants Neelix back. Two weeks in, the Doctor is able to device a procedure to use the transporter to disentangle them and bring back Tuvok & Neelix – but Tuvix puts a spanner in the works when he declares that he does not want to die! After discussing the situation with Commander Chakotay, Kes, and Tuvix himself, Janeway ultimately decides to proceed with the separation, acting in absentia to protect the rights of the two constituent men. Tuvix makes a final emotive plea for support from the crew, but finds no supporters.
The doctor, as a physician even if he is a hologram cannot do the procedure as he too has taken the vow, of doing no harm, hence Captain Janeway performs the procedure herself and succeeds in restoring both Tuvok and Neelix. After welcoming the two men back, she walks away – and her face gives away the emotional turmoil and depth of what she had to do! She did it not because she liked it, but because she had to. The ship and the crew needed both Tuvok and Neelix back and as much as she didn’t like ending the existence of Tuvix, it just has to be done. But it is not murder, it is not an execution and it is not a killing.
Initially – during my first watch on cable and a couple of rewatches – I didn’t like the actor who played Tuvix. Over the years it has become one of my fav episodes of the show. But despite the tragic choice, it’s not a murder and it’s not too controversial a decision. Infact, it was the only decision that could be made. Janeway had to act and that was her only choice. It doesn’t mean that she had to like it! The captain had to steel herself and get what was needed to be done. Sometimes the hard choice is better left to the right leader!
Leicester City 0 Arsenal 2
Arsenal closed to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as substitute Mikel Merino’s two late goals gave them victory at struggling Leicester City.
The Gunners’ striker shortage threatened to be exposed by the Foxes until Merino, on for the desperately out of sorts Raheem Sterling, stole in at the far post to break the deadlock. Merino’s 81st-minute goal was created by Arsenal’s outstanding player, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who hit the woodwork twice in the second half and was their main threat throughout. Spanish midfielder Merino then struck again at the far post three minutes from time to wrap up a vital win and keep Arsenal’s title pursuit on track. It was tough on Leicester, who fought hard throughout and almost took the lead, only for Myles Lewis-Skelly to get a vital touch with Bobby de Cordova-Reid waiting to tap in Jordan Ayew’s cross.
Arsenal’s celebrations carried an element of relief as for a long time it looked like their lack of strikers, made worse by Kai Havert’s hamstring injury sustained on their break in Dubai, was threatening to undermine them – until Merino stepped up. Arsenal needed to hang tough on their travels once more, just as they did in their last away league game at Wolverhampton Wanderers, before finally breaking down Leicester City’s stubborn resistance. Their title chase was in danger of suffering a serious body blow as they entered the last 10 minutes on level terms, with the toothless nature of their display only raising further questions about manager Mikel Arteta’s failure to add a striker to his squad.
It was a midfielder who eventually did the trick, Merino showing efficiency in front of goal with a powerful header and emphatic shot just the Foxes thought a point was in sight. If Merino was the match-winner, England Under-19 international Nwaneri was Arsenal’s real inspiration with an outstanding performance of skill, pace and ability to put Leicester’s defence on the back foot. Nwaneri’s display was in sharp contrast to that of Sterling, who suffered a nightmare afternoon when he simply could not do a thing right. It was no surprise when he was replaced, Arteta sending on Merino in a decision fully vindicated by his late double. Arsenal are now just four points behind Liverpool, although they have played a game more – but this was a much better position than they were contemplating until Merino made his decisive interventions.
Me, Myself & Irene (My Thoughts & Review)
Exposed – Vince Neil
Exposed is the debut solo album of Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil following his exit from the band in 1992. It was released in 1993 and reached No. 13 on the US Billboard 200 chart and #44 in the UK. The album was recorded at the Record Plant in Los Angeles in 1992. Neil titled the album Exposed because he thought of the album as his moment in the spotlight, no longer being a member of Mötley Crüe. Neil was able to put together a really solid band with bassist Phil Soussan who ended co-writing five of the eleven songs on the album and played on the demos but Steve Stevens eventually played all bass and lead guitars on the album and Vik “Vikki” Foxx of Enuff Z’Nuff who played all drums & percussion & on some songs Robbie Buchanan played keyboards.
We start of strongly with the fast paced Look In Her Eyes, with Stevens laser effects on his guitar solos that makes this song stand out. Sister Of Pain is the second single off the record and features a music video that features porn actress Janine Lindemulder and fittingly the song is about a dominatrix or a sexually dominant woman atleast. Next single is a banger! Can’t Have Your Cake” is the third solo single and the music video features the then up-and-coming Pamela Anderson, and the singer’s son Neil Wharton, who portrayed a young Vince Neil in the video. At the time, Pamela and Tommy Lee weren’t dating and possibly hadn’t met. Neil and Pamela were rumored to have been dating at the time of the music video.
A bass rumble starts of Fine, Fine Wine with more awesome guitar soloing by Stevens. And then he goes on a Flamenco intro to the next song – The Edge, which is about surviving LA. Probably the best song in the album is up next. Can’t Change Me is the 3rd single and the video was filmed at the Record Plant. Once again, Steve’s flamenco guitar is prominent here with the axe man soloing on both that as well as his usual electric guitar. And then we have a cover of Set Me Free from the Sweet’s Desolation Boulevard. Another very interesting song is the awesome Living Is A Luxury with it’s quieter verses compared to the rockier chorus and introspective lyrics.
You’re Invited (But Your Friend Can’t Come) is Vince’s debut single and his first solo single.This song exists in two different versions, the first of which was recorded with Tommy Shaw on guitars, Jack Blades on bass & Michael Cartellone on drums (the 3 from Damn Yankees) and was included on the soundtrack to the Brendan Fraser movie Encino Man; a music video was later released for this version featuring a cameo from co-star Shore. The track was later re-recorded for Exposed with Stevens. Getting Hard is another fun with some double entendre lyrics in places and a bitchin’ rhythm guitar by Stevens. The album ends with the obligatory love ballad, Forever, but it’s a strong one and probably my second song favourite off the album as it immediately takes you back to a long past year!
Neil recorded two bonus tracks for the Japanese edition: Blondes (Have More Fun) and the Ramones’ cover I Wanna Be Sedated. The Last Goodbye, cowritten with Todd Meagher, was pulled from the album at the last minute due to a dispute between Meagher and Neil that culminated in a brawl at the Roxbury on Sunset Strip. The song was a ballad, about Neil’s split from Mötley.
Some Thirst Quenching Facts About Canaday Dry
Canada Dry® Ginger Ale began in 1904 as Pale Ginger Ale. Its founder, John J. McLaughlin, owned a sparkling water plant in Canada, so when he saw the rise in popularity of more syrupy ginger ales, he set to work perfecting a lighter version. This became the Canada Dry Ginger Ale we know today.
During Prohibition, Canada Dry Ginger Ale became a popular mixer to mask the taste of the period’s harsh liquors.
Often called the champagne of soda, it was marketed toward the refined crowd for many decades.
Royal recognition : In 1907, the Governor General appointed Canada Dry as an official supplier to the Viceregal Household.
Canada Dry introduced Club Soda and Tonic Water in the 1930s. In the 1950s and 1960s, they were the first major soft drink company to offer sugar-free drinks and to use cans instead of bottles.
Canada Dry has been owned by Dr Pepper Snapple (now Keurig Dr Pepper) since 2008.
Canada Dry is produced in many countries, including the United States, Panama, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Japan, Turkey, and in a number of countries of Europe and the Middle East.