Crab, Crab, and More Crab

I recently took advantage of a Starwood promotion (Free Weekend Night) and checked out Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It's nothing like the Seaport in New York City or Penn's Landing - there's definitely plenty more to do. The area is full of museums, an aquarium, chain restaurants (The Cheesecake Factory, ESPNZone, Hard Rock, Hooters, PF Chang's), historical ships, Camden Yards (Orioles), and M&T Bank Stadium (Ravens). Here are a few of the places that I checked out (thanks for the recommendations, Pete):

* Costas Inn: if you're into steamed crabs, this is the place for you. We ordered a dozen extra large blue crabs and the waitress came back with the necessary tools: a brown paper table cover, mallets, a bucket, and plenty of napkins. The crabs come out covered in Old Bay seasoning and its hammer time. After you crack your first two, you develop a system for optimal meat retrieval. Make sure your hotel has a refridgerator if you decide to take leftovers - thanks for nothing Sheraton Hotel (someone almost ended up with a hotel room drawer full of crabs)!
* The Brewer's Art: it's rated the best bar in America by Esquire. I didn't know that until I got there, but I could instantly see why. The rosemary garlic fries and mac and cheese are must haves, their Belgian home brewed beers (Resurrection and Ozzy) are $4.50 for a pint full to the rim, they had my favorite beer (Kwak), and the bartenders are super attentive.
* Blue Moon Cafe: its a great place for brunch if you're patient enough to wait outside for an hour (luckily I was). The Captain Crunch french toast is a diabetic's dream topped with whipped cream and fruit, the bacon is deliciously thick sliced, and the cinnamon bun and biscuits to go were wise choices. I'll definitely be back to try their crab meat omelette.

Is the Madden Curse Real?

I'm not a superstitious person by any stretch of the imagination - I don't toss salt over my shoulder, I step on sidewalk cracks, and I'd probably step on the foul line if I was a baseball player. Despite not believing in superstitions and jinxes, the Madden Curse has been pretty consistent throughout the years. The Madden Curse (similar to the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx) refers to an injury or poor performance of the players featured on the cover of John Madden. Here's a look at some of the players featured on the cover:

2001: Eddie George (injuries and an all time rushing low)
2002: Daunte Culpepper (season ending knee injury)
2003: Marshall Faulk (ankle injury & team missed the playoffs)
2004: Michael Vick (broken leg)
2005: Ray Lewis (torn hamstring)
2006: Donovan McNabb (sports hernia)
2007: Shaun Alexander (broken foot)

2008: Vince Young (leg injury & a dismal 17 interceptions)
2009: Brett Favre (torn biceps tendon which derailed the Jets season)
2010: Troy Polamalu (sprained MCL knee injury)

Hopefully nothing happens to Larry Fitzgerald, who shares the cover with Polamalu on John Madden NFL 10.

Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories: Rick James

I don't think any skit created as many quotable lines as Chappelle's Show - Season 2's Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories: Rick James: "Fuck your couch!", "I'm Rick James, Bitch!", "Cocaine is a helluva drug", "I wish I had more hands", "What did the five fingers say to the face?", etc. Everytime I see it, its like watching it for the first time. Its hard deciding which is the best part: Charlie Murphy's narration, Rick James' interview, Dave Chappelle's acting, or the overall writing. RIP Rick James and hopefully Dave Chappelle will decide to come out of retirement. Video courtesy of Comedy Central.