There is nothing more intimidating...

...than a blank blog post window. It's not that I don't want to write. But the moment that I lack inspiration and open a blog post anyway, it becomes a monster. I look at it, try to muster creative courage, and then up storms the dreaded writer's block which stands between me and a blog post.

Today I may have the mental fortitude that comes with a Monday to get over this hump. Off to ponder and create.

Obsessed

I have always had a secret urge to sing in an acapella group. It almost came to fruition during my sophomore year in college when a few friends and I explored the earliest renaissance acapella scores. But alas, it amounted only to good intentions.

Lucky for me, I can relieve that dream again. Yes, I'm talking about "The Sing-Off". Like a live, reality-show version of Glee (I think...) 10 teams of acapella groups from around the country are in a vocal battle for supremacy. Love it!

I just caught up on Monday and Wednesday's shows, and there are some clear favorites, and some groups that really might end up wowing us all. The front-runner is an all-male gospel group from Alabama called Committed. Besides having a BoyzIIMen-like sexy-smooth-buttah-like sound, they are also humble, sweet and good-looking. The more surprising group this time was a bunch of music teachers in a group named Groove for Thought. The last favorite, especially of mine, is Street Corner Symphony, from Nashville. I love their country-jazzy-groovy sound. Some of it reminds me of Alison Krauss feel, although they could pull in more dissonant harmonies to really work the magic. We will see what next episode brings. Hopefully the songs that are selected for them really stretch the talents!

More lists

With my mid-20s now at a close, I have been reflecting on how I have matured in my tastes over the past 10 years. Through my parents' guidance and my own culinary explorations, I have started to like things I never imagined eating and thanks to a discerning wine drinker I once dated, I now love and appreciate the subtleties of French red wines. As I age I am also embracing my inherent personality, so true to form, I have made a list of some of these culinary thoughts.

Things I like:
1. Black Licorice
2. Brussel sprouts
3. Miso
4. Fish sauce (in my Pho)
5. Avocado (used to hate them!)
6. Cottage cheese
7. Almond butter

Things I can't stand:
1. Capers
2. Risotto
3. Grainy mustard
4. Tapioca pudding
5. Beer (for the most part)

Guilty pleasure foods:
1. Mayonnaise (I've officially lived in the Deep South too long!)
2. Rold Gold Honey Wheat ("crack") pretzels
3. Haribo gummy bears (refrigerated)

Here's to living and loving my late 20s!