(via eyeonspringfield)

“We’ll pull your whole deck / f*ck pulling your card” (c) Dre/3Stacks

I will never, ever get tired of Kubrick references in the Simpsons universe (and boy, have there been many over the years).

From Episode [1F07]: The Last Temptation of Homer

Courtesy of Bart’s Blackboard: Archive of Bart Simpson’s Blackboard Writings

Bart: Mom, guess what?

Lisa: We’re going to Itchy and Scratchy Land!

Marge: No.  I’ve already planned our vacation.  We’re going to the Highway Nine Bird Sanctuary.  I understand they’ve installed a new birdfeeder this year.

[Bart and Lisa look aghast]

Marge: It’s shaped like a diner.  And it’s on this really tall pole.

[Bart and Lisa look aghast]

Simpsons Season 3 on DVD? Check. Freshly stirred (and nearly finished) Manhattan cocktail? Check. (previously) Unopened KidRobot X Simpsons figure? Check. Hypothetical pen to mentally check off all of these items? Check!

So I popped in Bart the Murderer from my personal favourite Simpsons season (3) for some inspiration when making my first Manhattan cocktail, which can also be made on the rocks in a whiskey glass (as you can see). Note: A Manhattan is usually made with bourbon but can be composed of whiskey or rye, depending on your preference. So I got the whiskey (I’ve said whiskey a lot) all set as well as the sweet (red) Italian vermouth, which I didn’t even know I had a bottle of in the house. And I’m not a fan of bitters, so it didn’t matter that there was a lack of angostura to dash. Finally, I was fresh out of maraschino cherries (there was a jar in the fridge about a month ago), so I ended up garnishing my drink with blueberries instead, which didn’t turn out that bad (although I would like to try it with cherries one day). But the great thing about making cocktails is that you can improvise to your heart’s content (or when you have no choice) and still come out with a palpable beverage. Minimal options at your disposal breeds creativity, no doubt.

So in light of this impromptu mixing session, I thought it would be the perfect time to finally open my previously unopened 5th Kidrobot X Simpsons collectible that I talked about saving way back in this Easter post. I was actually hoping for Fat Tony, considering the episode I was watching and that I was drinking my first Manhattan. But Barney Gumble? Holding a foamy mug of Duff beer? What a pleasant surprise! He’s the first Simpsons character I think of when having a drink or partying my ass off. No reason in particular.

So in conclusion, the ice cold Manhattan went down pretty easy (it made me think of chocolate and a classy lounge…in that order), watching Season 3 Simpsons eps a near infinitesimal amount of times never gets old and Barney is on his 5th golden brewskie as I type this. Cheers to a happy Friday!

Edit: While proof reading this post, I realized that I use ‘so’ to begin paragraphs too often. That’s bad writing style, straight up. Will try to minimize that in the future…even though I’m the only one that even remotely cares about it. Weirdo.

For Easter (other than enjoying the annual chocolate overload), I received some additional figures from the superb Kidrobot X The Simpsons set. Keep in mind, these collectibles are a completely blind assortment (even the SKU numbers are all the same). So you truly do not know what you’re gonna get each time you open up a box. Takes me back to the ample time I spent collecting baseball cards in the early to mid-90s (opening up a wax/foil pack was a pure joy whilst imagining the treasures that may await you inside).

So far I’ve got 4 Kidrobot X The Simpsons mini-figures (opened 2 on Christmas, 2 more on Easter) with an as of yet unopened box that I plan to savour some time in the week (this sh!t is fun).

In the meantime, from left to right (ominously lit by blue light): Hippie Homer w/ mandolin (odds=1/24). Bart w/ skateboard and a presumably 100% syrup squishee (2/24), Apu w/ price gun (1/24) and Scratchy w/ giant mallet (1/48). Collect ‘em all. And good luck doing so, as I’ve read about peeps spending upwards of $400 to complete the 24 figure set (although I can understand why).

From Duffless (#9F14) Simpsons Momentos De Cine