I love alcohol as much as any college student. However, what disappoints me when I hang out with some friends, of legal age or not, is the high propensity for cheap, crappy alcoholic beverages such as “Natural Light”, “Milwaukee’s Best” and a host of other horrible choices.

I personally enjoy drinking because I enjoy the drink, not to get drunk. If you want to stick with cheap things to show your friends how poor you are, thats your call. However, I want to reccommend a couple of beers, that actually taste good.

-Samuel Adams Boston Lager: pretty classic, well balanced, not too hoppy. It really is just a perfect lager

-Molson Canadian: very tasty, not alot of head, a pale ale, its just that good, very drinkable

If you want something a bit more expensive and classy, stick to local breweries or imported, I’ll be doing some more reviews a little later.

This isn’t very profound, but I was just thinking about it on my way to the Spot.

Remember that you can always use Flex even if you have enough meals.  Sometimes this makes sense, if you’re rockin’ a small meal plan (5 or 10).  That way, you can pay $5 flex or cash for lunch or breakfast, and have a “meal” to use for that $15 dollar Wednesday night dinner (and sometimes Saturday, I think?).   I’ve seen lots of people who don’t have enough meals for that Wednesday night dinner and end up coughing up $15 for a few chicken tenders.  Ouch!

Oh also.  For those of you with huge meal plans (19), you can always get a bag lunch from the dining hall.  This is basically where they pack you a lunch in a bag to go.  This way you don’t have to actually sit down.  If you’re able to get to the dining hall, but don’t have time to sit down and eat, this may be a good option.

Ugh, once again, I’d love to post a link with more info, but I can’t find any.  Sorry.

What’s up, everyone. Found this online the other day, and thought it may aid in plans for some of you out there this weekend.

The SGA has made great progress in the UMBC Red Card Program, which basically allows students to receive discounts at a variety of different businesses around campus. I haven’t used this yet, though I will today for lunch, I think. Apparently all you have to do is present your red ID.

I’m hoping the person working at Quiznos today understands the policy.

Here are some sweet deals I found:

Auntie Anne’s
Phone Number: (443) 755 0482
Address: 7000 Arundel Mills Circle
Discount: 10% discount on total purchase

Baskin Robbins
And Dunkin’ Donuts
Phone Number: None Listed
Address: 3701 Wilkens Ave
Discount: 10% off total bill

Cold Stone Creamery
Phone Number: None Listed
Address: 7645 Arundel Mills Blvd.
Discount: 10% off total bill

Papa John’s
Phone Number: (410) 247 7272
Address: 1407-A Sulpher Spring Road
Discount: Large One Topping Pizza for $8.00 (students should say they want the $8 deal with UMBC upon ordering)

Quiznos Subs
Phone Number: (410) 747 7570
Address: 5860 E Baltimore National Pike
and 6901 Security Blvd
and 7645 Arundel Mills Blvd
Discount: $2.00 discount on Regular or large combo meal.

Little Abner’s Liquor Store
Phone Number: (410) 242 4099
Address: 13016 1/2 Linden Ave
Discount: 10% off Wine Purchase,
$1 off case of beer (sale items excluded)

Bill’s Music
Phone Number: (410) 788 8900
Address: 743 Frederick Road
Discount: Free guitar lesson (One hour)

For more info, check out sga.umbc.edu/redcard.

Props to the SGA and certain individuals for really getting this program rollin’.

Since 2004, when I started here, there have been lots of attempts to change the quality of food on campus. It seems that with each class that rolls through, there are two or three jabs thrown by an individual or a small group, but no real damage is ever really done.

I also know that since I’ve started here, people have been dissatisfied with the food. And I mean, I don’t think it’s hard to see where those people are coming from.

Today, on my lunch break, I got my first Quiznos sub ever.

Yeah, I know, crazy right?

Wow. I had no idea Quizos was so good. I always knew about their whole “we toast our subs so that makes us cool” slogan, but I always thought it was kind of a lame gimmick. But, after my lunch today, wow, so good.

Then I was thinking, wow, I just paid $5 for this, and it’s delicious. How many times have I paid $5 for food in the Commons and gotten nothing but an upset stomach?

And while eating my delicious sub, I was reading this article in The Times, about this union of auto workers for Chrysler who went on strike to get.. crap, I don’t even remember. I think like, better medical insurance coverage or something.

But anyway, point is, their strike worked. Within six hours, they got their whatever it was.

Granted, they had 45,000 people committed to this, but still, I was thinking about the potential for a “strike” in terms of improving the food on campus. I know it’s been talked about in the past, but I’m starting to wonder again what could be done about it. Is Sodexho even in a position to change the food options should they start losing a lot of money? What could be done given their monopoly-istic contract with UMBC?

Maybe a strike could push Sodexho to modify their contract? I don’t know, I’m not 100% on this, but I’m pretty sure that if someone *wink wink* were to do some of the dirty work, figure out what could really be done if students protested by not supporting Sodexho, and emailed me *wink wink* some of their ideas, I’m sure this site could be a media to reach a lot of students quickly and get something organized.

*Wink wink*

I guess not using meals wouldn’t really do much, since all the money for meal plans has already been paid. But, if people stopped using cash and campus dollars.. I’m sure people would quickly notice. I’m not sure what kind of strike or whatever would go down. All I know is Quiznos is freakin’ good, and if I could pay the same price for greasy diarrhea-pizza or constipation-cheesebur — actually, nothing really gives you constipation, scratch that. If I can pay the same amount, I want Quiznos — or Chick-fil-a, Subway, or delicious Panda Express… hell, I might even prefer heart attack in a bag Taco Bell or McDonalds.

If anyone knows someone who’d be down for trying to do some of the research, hit me up: undergroundumbc@gmail.com.

Until then, be well, all. Have a good weekend.

Sitting here with my computer in the bathroom as I “settle the score” with that cheese pizza from last night (that seemed so delicious at the time), I’m strangely reminded of some not-so-fun times from my junior year.

In my personal experience and observation, it seems college students have honed their skills for procrastination and rationalization more so than any other group of people.

…Yay? Haha, I don’t know, I guess.

Add this to the fact that lots of students often do way more than they should, be it course load, part time jobs, full time jobs, clubs, sports, whatever, and you’ve got lots of 10 page papers and mid term exams waiting until t-minus 24 10 hours.

Believe me, I understand the temptation to head over to the Spot and buy a Rockstar Redbull or whatever energy drink they have there these days at 10:30 when you’re getting ready to finally sit down and bust out that work.

Don’t. Seriously.

For one, they are terrible for you The amount of caffeine in them can cause heart palpitations and a jump in blood pressure.

And for two, and possibly more convincing to those of you just trying to get that paper finished: if you’re drinking this thing in order to stay up late and get some work done, I’m sorry to bust your bubble, but you need to realize you’ll probably be in the bathroom for a lot of that “work” time. Those drinks go through your system like razorblades. It’s hard to get into a rhythm studying when you’re consistently “interrupted.”

When I used to drink them, I never really felt jittery, I just never got tired. I’d probably drink them around 10p, and would just be awake until 6 or 7 in the morning. Those sleep gates are precious, and missing them sucks.

So, to those of you who have your energy drink virginity, so to speak, cherish it! Those things will mess you up, and really, even if you’re on a tight deadline, just go to bed and get up in the morning and finish it. You’ll be fine.

That title is so boring, but it gets the point across.

I love food. I love cooking food, I love eating food and I love learning about food. And I know what question you’re inner-child wants to ask, but apparently it is illegal to marry inanimate objects, I tried. I’ve been here a long time and I pretty much always eat on campus so I think I’m close to being qualified to do a critique on all of the Sodexho restaurants here. However, a critique would be way too long. Instead, I will tell you the ups and downs and try to give some suggestions and strategy.

I have compiled a list of my favorite meals on this campus (in no order):

Meals that fit on a meal plan:

1. Chicken Salad Sub from Sub Connecitons. They actually produced a decent chicken salad with the ingredients Sodexho uses.
2. Cheeseburger Combo from The Grill. I am a health nut but even I can admit that some times just call for a cheeseburger. Their rendition is nowhere near good but with enough lettuce, tomato, onion and the right mixture of BBQ sauce and mayonnaise (even if you don’t like either of those, try it and thank me later. It also works as a great fry dip) you can forget that you’re eating a hockey puck.
3. Broccoli pizza from Pete’s Arena. Absolutely delicious.
4. Almost anything from the Bluestown BBQ. I say almost because I despise their attempt at macaroni and cheese. Other than that, replacing Mein Bowl with that place is the best decision they ever made and is greatly under appreciated by the incoming freshmen. They will never try and trick them selves by thinking, “I really want Chinese food, maybe the last few times I ate here were flukes” or “man, what a short line. It’s definitely worth it.
5. Most of the sandwiches from the Corner Market and a Powerade. If you’re late to class, this can be a life saver. Not that I’ve ever regarded attendance as pertinent, but I am by no means a role model.
6. A Meatball Sub with Ranch Dressing from Sub Connection. This one is a favorite of a friend of mine and it was showed to him by one of the staff there, Rebecca. Meatball subs can also be spiced up with banana peppers and BBQ sauce.

Meals that do not fit on a meal plan:

1. Open Faced Sausage or Meatball Sandwich from the pasta side of Pete’s Arena. It is actually quite flavorful and filling. They’re smothered in cheese. Need I say more?
2. Pepperoni or Brazilian Chicken Pizza at Sandella’s. Surprisingly substantial and tastes great. One downside: the chicken is a bit dry and the pepperoni is a bit greasy.
3. A fruit smoothie from Jazzman’s. The smoothies here are way better than the Freshens’ Smoothie Company place and are not outrageously priced.
4. Pepperoni and Sausage Stromboli from Pete’s arena. Again, nowhere close to healthy but tastes pretty good. Also, be careful not to eat your fork prongs, they break off easily and they are neither healthy or delicious.
5. Chicken Quesadilla with Chipotle sauce from Salsa Rico. Simple enough that even Salsa Rico can’t ruin it.

General tips:

1. On the off chance that you’ve just come from a hard workout and you’re very hungry, your first stop should obviously be the D-hall, but if you don’t have that kind of time, there are alternatives. A sub from Sub Connections has no limit to how many toppings you can ask for, so be sure to ask for extras of everything you like. This is also the only time I would condone getting a burrito from Salsa Rico. Mexico would be highly offended if they knew that’s what we call Mexican food, I’m pretty sure they’ve heard of flavor.
2. Don’t try and go to the spot after 2:30 a.m. to waste a meal. They only accept flex after that time.
3. Again, don’t get the mac’n'cheese from Bluestown BBQ. If you really want homemade mac’n'cheese email me and I’ll pass on my family recipe. It is easy and simply to die for.
4. GREAT MONEY SAVER: Rinse your coke cups from the commons and put them in your backpack. You’ll never know when you’ll be thirsty and it is way less expensive than buying a new one. Also, this trick helps to make those meals that don’t fit on the meal plan… fit on the meal plan. And don’t even dare tell me it’s gross because if you’ve ever played beer pong, you’d be a hypocrite to say so.
5. If you do end up ordering at Salsa Rico, be nice to the staff, they are generally surly people and they could use a friendly face. Furthermore, never anger the people handing you food, that is about the stupidest thing you could do.
6. Anything is better with BBQ sauce.

Am I the only one having this problem? I’m still waiting to successfully get an omelette this year. Every time I go to get mine, someone else has either taken it, or the chef gives me the wrong one.

What’s going on here?

Just a heads up, if anyone sees an omelette that’s been cut into, but nothing has been eaten, that’s probably me just putting it back so it can be claimed by its rightful owner. Please do the same because I’m tired of not enjoying Saturday morning brunch — it’s supposed to be the best meal of the week!

Oh, and seriously, come on now. Saturday morning is deserving of some tater tots.

I was getting lunch the other day in the dining hall, and couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between two of the women working behind the PB&J station. The one was saying she was trying to find another job, and the other, older woman was telling her how she wasn’t ever going to be able to find a job that she liked - a job that made her happy. The first woman was so determined that she would find something she enjoyed doing, even in the face of the other woman’s pessimism, it was kind of inspiring.

I know working at the dining hall must suck. I mean, no one likes to work in the food industry, but to have to for a bunch of kids who don’t appreciate how much nicer their part time, off-campus jobs are and don’t say “thank you” or “hi?” Ugh, I feel bad for not being nicer when I interact with the men and women that work there.

This is anti-climactic. That’s all I was really thinking. I just am trying to be nicer to people in general, but especially when they are working a job where customers are often somewhere between not nice and disrespectful. I mean, I’m sure they’re doing the best they can. Yeah, I guess that’s all I wanted to say.