(no subject)

[symbioidlj]

According to this, Taco Bell adds sugar to their beef seasoning. Not only that, they add... Get ready...

Cocoa powder. Wtf?

Yet, somehow, with all their other seasonings, Taco Johns STILL has a spicier, tastier beef mix...

EDIT: Huh, according to search for "cocoa powder beef seasoning" brings up various recipes for Chili con Carne that contains that. I had no clue!

Comments

[dasbender.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I always use cocoa powder in my chili. Coffee also. They both add a deep, bitter roasted flavor that complements the tomato and chili peppers.

[symbioid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I noted below, that I remember now about hot chocolate with chili is popular (as sabotabby noted). I'm not really big on bitter foods, though, personally.

I just don't imagine that the little chocolate t-bell puts in can add much flavor (in fact, as I noted, their beef is pretty bland compared to, say, Taco Johns).

Also, I've been meaning to ask... Transformers movie. Thoughts? Have you seen it? Dare you? If you have, what did you think? If not, well... I understand. Just curious on your overall thoughts.

[dasbender.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw it on Tuesday night at the Donna :)

Sure it's not "my Transformers" from my youth, but I'm up for movies featuring battling robots any day.

For an action movie with lots of battling robots, I was pretty bored through a lot of it. If Michael Bay had cut maybe 40 minutes of bad plot out of the film I'd probably like it a lot more.

Fight choreography was also pretty weak -- I couldn't really even tell what was happening much of the time. It just looked like lots of robot parts flashing across the screen.

That said, I loved some of the car chase scenes.

[dasbender.livejournal.com]

Oops, I should've used this avatar :)

[symbioid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I heard that about the fighting. One review said it was like basically just a couple robots rolling down a hill really fast and you couldn't tell which end is up (or something like that).

And yeah, I heard there's lots a shit hollywood romance story type stuff involved.

I heard the ending was a bit funny/creepy (the whole making out while the autobots watch).

I dunno, I hate Michael Bay and I just don't feel right supporting it.

The Donna? As in Sturgeon Bay? You up there this weekend or something?

[dasbender.livejournal.com]

Yeah, as in Sturgeon Bay. We were up visiting my folks over the Fourth, and Beth and I went to the Donna while the folks watched Matthew.

Back to Transformers, my biggest issues with the film really had nothing to do with its (lack of) quality, plot, action, faithfulness to source material, etc.

My biggest problems with the film were as follows:

1) I can't tell what age the film is intended for. There's a lot of adult violence, overt sexual innuendo and imagery, and the length would tire any child. However, all the jokes and plot points were ALL aimed at 12-year-olds. Bumblebee even pees on someone as a gag. The movie is a mix of a Michael Bay (adult) action flick and a Steven Spielberg E.T. / "a boy and his dog" plot. Even the merchandise ranges from childrens' pajamas to full-size GM automobiles. It makes me uncomfortable.

2) Every (and I do mean EVERY) minority character in the film is treated as comic relief, while every Caucasian character is a hero. The minority characters are all over-the-top characatures, and the one Autobot that dies is even the "African American" one. I was almost expecting actors to appear in black-face by the end :)
Once again, it makes me uncomfortable.

[dasbender.livejournal.com]

Actually, I forgot about Tyrese Gibson. I guess he was allowed to be a hero since he was part of the U.S. Military, and the Military was full of nothing but heroes.

[rflagg.livejournal.com]

If that doesn't sum up Michael Bay, I dunno what does. :) Oh, and don't forget, every female is completely weak and helpless and needs to be rescued by the men. (I'm sure that's the case in Transformers too, but I haven't seen the movie.)

-m.

[sabotabby]

The cocoa powder is probably cheap shit, but the concept itself is perfectly reasonable. It adds a nice note. Ditto adding chili powder to hot chocolate (Mayan hot chocolate), believe it or not.

[symbioid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I realize now that I see the comments... I actually bought some from our co-op last year. I wasn't very keen on it, however. Oh well.