From Electronista:

Microsoft has taken the unusual step of promoting Windows 7 in Japan with Burger King’s launch of a Windows 7 Whopper. Fitting in with the software theme, the burger stacks seven patties in an otherwise normal Whopper and measures 5.1 inches tall. It also has an appropriate 777 yen ($8.53) price.

The stunt isn’t unique for Microsoft’s Windows 7 launch, which in the run-up to Thursday’s introduction has repeated the “seven” theme in multiple publicity events; it launched a giveaway of the new OS for every resident of the Dutch village of Zevenhuizen (“Seven Houses”) and decorated parts of the Spanish village Sietes (“Sevens”) in Windows-themed colors. The campaign contrasts sharply against the more traditional ads of Vista and earlier Windows releases, highlighting Microsoft’s desire to turn around its public image.

In North America, most of the developer’s less conventional advertising has centered around promoting Windows 7 house parties and its first retail stores.

For the last week or two, I’ve been biting my lip an abnormal amount of times while I’m chewing and I can’t quite figure out why. I was chewing gum for a couple hours this morning and I bit my bottom lip twice already, so I’ve since disposed of the gum. The other day I bit my lip as well while eating, and I vaguely recall at least one other instance of that happening within the last week. The frequency of this happening seems strange to me so I tried figuring it out. Aside from one of my back teeth being pulled in December, there has been no other significant change to my mouth or jaw. Maybe that has something to do with it, but it doesn’t seem like it would effect that much.

On another unrelated note, I’ve realized how low my vegetable intake has gotten since moving out on my own. I’ve decided to start adjusting my eating to remedy this. The one vegetable I do eat a lot of is broccoli, which is good because it’s one of the better one’s for you, but I still need more variety. I’d like to add more vegetable side dishes into my meals and make at least one of my dinners per week a salad of some sort. So I put the question out to you, my readers (assuming there’s anyone actually reading this); how do you prepare your favorite vegetable sides? What are your favorite kinds of salads?

My friend Robin came down Friday night (finally!) to hang out with me. Our original plan was to see Watchmen that night, then do some cooking on Saturday, but because she had to drive around 2 hours to come down here, we put off the movie until Saturday and decided to relax and make dinner. After a quick trip to Stop & Shop we came back and threw together a dinner of chicken fingers and sweet potato fries, one of my favorites. I learned quickly that I need to be better prepared for company eating over, as I had no ketchup in the house. That has since been remedied. I realize it’s a staple thing to have, but I just put BBQ sauce on everything so I hadn’t even thought of it. We enjoyed our dinner while watching some episodes of Scrubs from this season. I also realized I need more mini tables to hold food on while eating dinner in front of the TV. The one I have was barely cutting it.

After dinner, Robin had dessert (consisting of yogurt and strawberries) and worked on reading Watchmen so she’d have it finished before we saw the movie. I passed the time by playing some Burnout: Paradise. The picture below took me several attempts because Robin kept laughing, but I ended up capturing the “captivated reader” look. Hmmm…a girl curled up in a Batman blanket reading Watchmen? I’d certainly say, “that’s cool”. (in a Carlito voice of course)

Saturday morning we had some egg sangwiches (not a typo) and strawberries. Robin wanted to go running so I had mapped about a route that was around 3 miles. While she was out, I did my yoga balance postures. I think I did my best set yet actually. Right before I was finished, I got a call because Robin had taken a wrong turn and was lost. It really wasn’t her fault though. The road sign of the road I had told her to take a right on was totally covered up by an “Entering Westport” sign and could only be seen coming from the other direction…my bad. I ended up hopping in the car and picking her up so she didn’t have to run all the way back. Even still, she ended up doing about 3 miles anyway. Once I’m back in better running shape I’ll be able to do that loop too, which will hopefully be soon.

For lunch we had some leftovers from other stuff I had in the fridge and watched Unbreakable. After movie #1, we headed to Seekonk to see Watchmen (movie #2). Without giving anything away, I thought it was a pretty accurate representation of the comic. At times it was overly gruesome for seemingly no reason, but all and all it was a very good movie. For dinner we attempted going to Bugaboo Creek, but sadly the wait was an hour long and we were starving after seeing a nearly 3-hour movie. Instead we hit up Panera which most likely resulted in a healthier dinner. On the way home, we stopped at Stop & Shop again to get some ice cream and more strawberries. Since the strawberries were ridiculously cheap (which is why we’re eating so many), Robin wanted to get some to bring home. Once back at the apartment, we made ice cream sundaes, with strawberries, and watched Ratatouille (movie #3). After starting to watch it about a year ago, we finally made it through the whole thing! We followed that up with a little TV before finally turning in for the night.

Sunday morning we woke up around 8:00 9:00. Stupid daylight savings time. Robin went out for her run again and went around the 3-mile loop successfully. We had some more egg sangwiches (still not a typo) and more strawberries and got ready to head out. She had some shopping she wanted to do on the way home in addition to having lunch with her bro. I had plans to go hiking with Matt & Sarah because it was SO nice out. We parted ways  on the highway because we were both heading in the same general direction.

Even with the time shift working against me, I made it to Matt & Sarah’s place only a few minutes late. We headed out to a hiking path that they frequent, and despite it being a little soggy, it was a very nice 5-mile hike. After the hike we headed to Panera for lunch. Woohoo, Panera on back-to-back days! And no, that’s not a sarcastic complaint, I love Panera! From lunch we headed back to their apartment to chill out for a little bit before they had to leave.

So now I’m back at home at the end of my weekend and about to head to bed. I had a very busy but great weekend. It was really nice seeing Robin again and spending a bunch of time together after not seeing each other for nearly a year. Hopefully she’ll decide to come visit more often! (yes, I know you’re reading this) I also got to spend time with my two favorite people on the planet…and Matt too! (just kidding buddy) PLUS I get to see them NEXT weekend as well because Matt’s getting older and his birthday is coming up…heh heh. I clearly have to get my shots in while hiding behind my computer, where crucifix holds are a safe distance away. Tomorrow night I’m planning on getting back into the ring for some wrestling training, and Tuesday night I have a meeting with the NCW crew. More busyness ahead, but it’s all good!

For more pictures, details, & another perspective on the weekend, check out Robin’s posts where I stole the pictures from for this one:

• Strawberry Weekend
• It’s Over!

Over the weekend I made some really good sweet & sour chicken in my new slow cooker. The recipe was from my new slow cooker cookbook. It was incredibly simple and came out really well.

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: Low 5 hours OR High 2 1/2 hours
Makes: 4 Servings

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
(2) 9-ounce jars sweet and sour sauce
(1) 16-ounce package frozen loose-pack broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts (vegetables clearly can vary)
2 1/2 cups hot cooked rice (this made a LOT more than I needed)
1/4 cup chopped almonds, toasted (optional, I didn’t use them)

1. In a 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker (came out fine in my 6-quart) combine chicken, sweet and sour sauce, and frozen vegetables.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 5 1/2 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours. Serve with hot cooked rice. If desired, sprinkle with almonds.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 430 cal., 2 g total fat (0 sat. fat), 66 mg chol., 418 mg sodium, 70 g carbo., 3 g fiber, 31 g pro.
Daily Values: 56% vit. A, 36% vit. C, 3% calcium, 17% iron
Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Starch, 2 1/2 Other Carbo., 3 Very Lean Meat