I eat weird foreign food: Head cheese

The eyeless hog's head staring at me would probably have been enough to send most Americans running back toward the door. I bit my tongue and avoided any Lord of the Flies references since most of the staff at this particular restaurant seemed to speak perfect English. This was not the sort of place where you receive menus, pick and choose your meal, and select a wine. Essentially, you sit down, they bring you out food, and then they charge you. The only paper involved is your cash. No bills, no menus. We were immediately brought a mezzo of wine and our own plates of prosciutto. Our table was then brought two plates, one with a thick slice of salami (house cured, like all the other meats) and the other was a slice of head cheese. Head cheese is not a cheese but rather the olive loaf of meats. It is prepared by boiling a pig's head after all of the organs have been removed. The meat (among other things) is then removed and put into a mold and left to cool till it becomes gelatinous.
I must say, it is as appetizing in its appearance as its preparation makes it sound. My friend who is studying in Italy insisted that I try it and I agreed to, but I implored him to not tell me what it was or what was in it. I had one bite and could not do anymore. I was bombarded with 3 different textures: gel-like, chewy, and whatever word best describes the texture of cartilage. The taste was a bit off, not quite ham but ham-esque. But the clear offender here was the texture. My friend, who is usually quite adventurous when it comes to food (he had ordered tongue the night before) had to spit his bite back out on to his plate. I would only recommend head cheese to people who have a high tolerance (perhaps if you enjoy ham hocks or pigs feet?) or as a dare.

Cheesesteak tour

Our bloggers will be ranking the areas best cheesesteaks next week, any ideas for places are appreciated will will rank the top 5. Were trying to keep it somewhat local, philly, and the immediate south jersy area.

I hate Dane Cook

I just dont understand why people think Dane Cook is funny, I mean he just runs around and is energetic and stuff but is that funny, I dont know I need more from a comic, perhaps some half decent material or funny jokes. His movies are also terrible and honestly uncomfortable to watch. I really dislike everything about I mean he just talks about regular stuff and not even in a funny way. I hate Dane Cook.

Mount Rapmore

Standard blog stuff here, but I figured we should get it out of the way. If there was a Mount Rushmore style monument for rappers who would be on it,& Heres my list and why.

Tupac- He's the Abe Lincoln of the list without question the most influential and important rapper ever. Hes a mortal lock and really not up for debate.

Dr.Dre- After Pac the list is really a free for all I like Dre because 1) NWA 2) He ushered in the whole era of gansta rap. Plus he introduced the world to Snoop and Eminem.

Eminem- Probably my most debatable obviously em is gifted with a sic flow, he didnt have the impact or importance of the first two rappers on the list, but his talent is undeniable. If he has one more great record and produces a couple of more great tracks hes a lock, but tenatively Ill put him on for the time being.

Russell Simmons- the last choice was the hardest, Ill talk about who I excluded first. Notorious B.I.G Biggie was great but I dont think he did enough one great album and one solid album dont warrant a spot among the greats for me. Most will argue that if I have pac I have to have biggie, I just dont see it that way. I will add the caviat that if biggie's life hadnt been cut short he had the talent to be on the list. My next exclusion was Jay- Z to me I just never got it with him, being the richest and most corporate rapper doesnt make you the best, some may disagree but I just cant shake the thought of em murdering him on renegade. To me Jay came along at the right time with the right gimmick to make an impact, but hes not one of the all time greats. I went with Russell Simmons the man meant more to rap then everyone else on my list combined, he completely changed the game, shining the spotlight on artists like Rakim, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and so many more, I relize he cant rhyme a lick, but its unfathomable to have a list of important figures in rap and not have Mr. Def Jam on it.

Link

This is a funny article from our friend Rob Neyer over at espn http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=neyer_rob

Wilford Lawrence's Birthday

Today is Wilford Lawrences (Pat Bateman) 25th birthday, so happ birthday from everyone of your colleagues at the Aspot. Wilford will be making an appearance at Wegmans in Moorestown between 5 and 7 p.m. et.

Sick And Tired

Am I the only person anymore who takes pride in the way in which I speak? Subject verb agreement seems to be virtually nonexistent. Has America forgotten simple Language Arts? I was at a local shopping establishment yesterday picking up some last minute items for an upcoming trip. The destination, South Beach, but I should not digress. I was paying for some suspenders, and a calfskin belt at the register. As I reached into the inside of my topcoat to retrieve my American Express, I heard something that will forever change me. It came like a freight train straight to my ears, my face got red, and I instantly began to perspire. I heard the voice of a woman, most likely in her late 30's, say, "He don't like his shirts all stiff." My defense mechanisms went into full swing, and after dropping my AMex on the counter, I turned with utter disgust and scowled at the woman. I was speechless, part of me wanted to exit as fast as humanly possible as to not breathe the same air as this woman, but another part of me was compelled to teach a crash course in 2nd grade Language Arts. Nonetheless, I paid for my goods and swiftly exited. My disgust began to swell, and cause me extreme discomfort. What makes this woman think that it is acceptable to blurt out phrases that do not make sense. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used. Not only was her sentence structure incorrect, but whoever she was buying shirts for is dead wrong as well. He must be a liberal Democrat that probably likes his shirts flimsy. As you all know I am a starch Republican, and prefer shirts with some "heft" and a heavy thread count. What say you?