GTA V: LV

While shopping for baking supplies for my new (vegan) cupcake empire, I was stopped at a stoplight near Pep Boys and City View diner. I see the driver of the car at the front of the line of cars stopped, get out and approach two very tiny Mexicans ( I know they are Mexican by the color of their flag hanging on the car / skin [jaykay! LOLOMG]).

At this point I think "geeze, they're totally blocking the lane I need to be in but I bet I can pass them when the light turns green so I might as well head into the next lane over". I then do as my brain has instructed me, causing me to be right to the left of the Mexican car. It is important to note that the man in the first car is a GIANT. SO the two Mexicans begin arguing with the Giant and pointing and stuff and then BAM, it turns into GTA and fisticuffs ensue. People from the diner are watching at safe distance and nobody else is doing anything.

I start to feel the bystander effect setting in so I dial 911 to snap myself out of it. It rings for about five times and then I hang up as the light turns green. I felt bad driving away BUT what could I do besides beat up a pedestrian and steal their money or kill a hooker. Either way, I needed to buy icing tips.

I plan on photoshopping a fun little graphic in a bit about the whole situation.

Coffee Shopping: Lehigh Valley

Did you know that Voltaire drank more than fifty cups of coffee a day??

It's true.

So do not worry about OD-ing on America's most popular drug (legal or illegal, take THAT meth-heads).

As some of you may know, I recently got a job at well-known chain of coffee shops. Today I had to make over 8 different types of drinks as part of my training and had to drink over half of them. That's a lot of caffeine AND a lot of calories. By the end of my shift I was so wired and buzzed, I made it back to campus from center city in under ten minutes. Also, I'm shaking a lot. Woo!

Before my imminent caffeine crash, I would like to share with you, my lovely readers (by the way is that a new shirt? It's looks fantastic. Oh, you've had it for a couple months now? Well I think you should wear it more often) some of my most favorite places to get coffee in the good ol' Lehigh Valley. I would do Philadelphia but I still have one more coffee house to go to before I can order and rank them all.

Here it go:

Best coffee for Thespians and their Families: Hava Java

Located in Allentown's "West End", Hava Java makes for a nice little stop before or after a show at the civic theatre and/or its movie annex. I have only been there a few times after catching a movie at the annex BUT the coffee was really good. I cannot recall too much about it except there were almost always people sitting outside at night when I drove past it. The floor is also pretty neat! Black and white tile from what I remember. I JUST read on their MySpace that they have changed hands but everything will pretty much be the same. Good news for you regulars! Also, if you ever need eyeglasses, a family friend owns a neat little shop right next door. Go in and tell them Andrew sent you.

Best Coffee if you like Hot Topic / You Have a Time Machine that Goes Back Three Years Ago: King Koffee

Okay, maybe this title is a little jaded and bias, but oh well, such is bloggery. Back in the tenth and eleventh grade this Emmaus coffee shop used to be the cat's meow. Every Friday (and most Saturdays) practically everyone that mattered went. I cannot really remember what we did since we rarely bought drinks. Card games, laughter, sitting outside, sitting on couches, etc. etc. Sometimes they would even have shows and that was always an experience. Eventually the older kids stopped going and a younger generation took their spot (enter: Nightmare Before Christmas hoodies, safety pins, and even mesh shorts). Food and drink-wise, they have a vast selection. It's still a pretty nice place to go I'm sure... ya know, if you avoid the weekends. Also open-mic night was always interesting. Check it out sometime.

Best Coffee if you are a Thirty-Something: Perk Cafe

Oh Perk. You are a mystery! In the beginning the small coffee house closed before 1:00p.m. and sponsored one of the High School powder puff teams. Now it seems to be open later and thriving! I have been a few times and always feel out of place as one of the younger customers in the place. Fantastic coffee and other little treats sure to delight those born in the 70's and earlier! The place is always jumping on Sundays and makes for a fantastic stop post-Emmaus Farmer's Market.

Best Place to get Coffee All Night: Dunkin Donuts (The one by Carrabba's!)

Oh gosh. I don't care what anyone says, double D is the best chain coffee house around. It's such a good price too. Also, they call me "chief" when I go in so that's neat. A downside is that there are huge posters of Rachel Ray everywhere. They're open 24 hours so whether you're living it up at the NERD center or bored, stop in.


Best Coffee Overall: Mas Cafe

I discovered this gem far too late in the summer! I mentioned it in an earlier post that urged supporting local businesses and I'll do it again. I never had anything else there but seriously, if you like coffee, GO. The owners are young newlyweds who always wanted to open a coffee shop and went all over the place getting ideas for theirs and finally opened shop. Free wi-fi too. Woop.



Those are a few of my favorite coffee places but there are probably some more out there in the Valley (such as Bethlehem, but that's a bit of a drive). Diners are always a good place for coffee too and the Lord Jesus Above Us knows that there are piles of diners in the valley. Some are mean and only provide one free refill. Do not give these places your money.

Okay! So look forward towards more coffee updates. Also, this weekend should hopefully be nuts and I'll stuff to tell you alllll about.

It's Always Black Friday in Thrift Stores

Today is national 'Buy Nothing Day' according to the culture jamming website Adbusters (the creators of TV Turn-Off Week and their fun little magazine). Instead of going out at 2 a.m. to buy 'Weeds' on DVD, the Canadian magazine publishers suggest you do not buy ANYTHING. Ultimately, they hope you will lower your consumerism to virtually nothing. Obviously this idea does not appeal to most people so instead, I have an economically better plan (and not just for you!).

I suggest you go out and support your community and local businesses instead. Not only do you get to spend your $$Black Friday billz$$ but all your money will go towards some good things.

Instead of going to a corporate chain coffee store, go to your local cafe. If you're in the Lehigh Valley, I highly recommend "Mas Cafe" in the triangle of Emmaus. The husband-wife team sell the best tasting coffee in the valley for affordable prices and in a great atmosphere.

Dining is another thing to do locally as opposed to popping in a 'Friendly's'. Today my mother and I went to my old alma mater "Balasia". As always the food was FANTASTIC. In addition to being fantastic, it was completely vegan, all organic, and the produce is bought from local, organic farmers. Three great things for your community, animals, and your body.

Now, the most prominent part of Black Friday is the shopping. As far as electronics and other crazy stuff, I suggest you hold off on the things you do not really need. Allll of your apparel needs can be fulfilled with thrift stores. If you live in Philadelphia, your thrift store options are very slim and always expensive. If you live in the Lehigh Valley though, your thrift stores are a gold mine!

Here is a guide to local thrift stores in order of decent to great:

6. Once is not Enuff
A popular choice for "ladies". And by ladies, this means my mother a few years ago and some friends who were looking for sequin gowns. I do not go here since they only sell women's clothing and it is not extremely cheap. My fondest memory of the place is telling my mother that they should rename it "100 Times is not Enuff" since she dragged me there so often. Some pros are that the window displays change frequently and according to their website they receive new clothing daily. You can also sell your clothing there too. Drawbacks include the prices and that I am not sure if it is non-profit or not.

5. Goodwill (Tilghman Shopping Center)
There are two Goodwills near me and the one is located in the Tilghman Shopping Center. It is also my least favorite of the two. They used to have a sign on the door forbidding more than two "teens" from coming in together at a time. If you ever have time to kill before a movie at the Tilghman 8 or you would rather not spend $8.95+ on "clucks and fries" from Red Robin's, then the trip is worth the walk over. Jen and I went today and were underwhelmed. The men's section is very small but the knick knacks and records are spot-on.

4. The Attic
Located on the main street of Kutztown, this chic-er thrift store is a bit out of the way for most Lehigh Valley citizens but well worth the drive. I have only been a few times but have seen something I want every time. They have a great selection, even for guys stuff. It's comparable to Retrospect in terms of the type of clothes they sell and the employees ' attitude but it lacks Retrospect's high prices. The store also has neat artwork, jewelry and furniture. Go check it out.

3. Goodwill (Trexlertown)
The better of the two Goodwills is located in the Trexlertown Shopping Center located near Big Lots. Jen and I went today and the place was nuts! There was a silent auction that involved a lot of yelling, plates of half-eaten cookies and pretzels, and more Guess purses than Anna Nicole Smith (R.I.P.) could shake a pregnancy-test stick at. They usually have some neat t-shirts and crazy lady's shorts. Today we found nothing but usually I can find a Partridge Family album or Jen gets a crazy purse.

2. Sumner Family Thrift
Brush up on your Spanish skills and save some dollars at Allentown Family Thrift, better known as Sumner, located on the corner of Sumner and New St. in Allentown. If I can only make it to one close-by thrift store, I always make this my number one stop (the number one thrift store is a bit of a drive). I can always find really neat sunglasses and / or eyeglass frames. The clothes of course are also really good. Every day there is some sort of deal, whether 20% for college students or discounted tag prices. Other great features include 25 cent coffee tables from time to time and a fun costume and wig section. Drawbacks include other customers (who like to throw down with me) and the employees (who are none too friendly / helpful).

1. Salvation Army
The king of all thrift stores is the Salvation Army. The reason it is number one is because it always has great sales. The other day when I went THREE different colored tags were 50% off. Another reason that it is number one is because I can almost always find something there and have bought more clothes there than any other thrift store. I usually have to sew them up to fit right, but the end result is fantastic. Another plus: the sheer size of it all!!! Honestly I've never been in a bigger Salvation Army. No drawbacks really, an all around great place for thrifting.

I hope my extensive and opinionated guide to thrifting in the LV will help you. It's a shame Philadelphia lacks in that department!

I'll leave you with a webcam image of my dad and his Russian girlfriend in Key West. Oh the times they have had!