Plasq's "Comic Life"

A quick attempt at making a comic strip with Plasq's Comic Life program. The first time I tried this program at Best Buy, I was hooked and really wanted to get a Mac. Really. Thankfully, Plasq makes a version for Windows too. It's a bit of a system hog, though.

Comparison of Various Mango Juice Brands

The first in a series of posts reviewing, of all things, Mango juice/Mango drinks. A result of both too much free time, and a surprisingly well-stocked international foods section at nearby grocery stores. Enjoy!

*****

Tropical Grove by Allen's
"Mango Flavored Juice Drink"

Product of Canada

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.25
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 120 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 5g / Sugars - 28g

Composition:
15% Juice. Water, Liquid Invert Sugar, Concentrated (Orange, Apple, Grape, Pear, Mango) Juice. Less than 0.5% of Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Yellows #5 & #6.

Taste & Texture:
A thin, orange-yellow colored liquid. It tastes more like a (bad tasting) fruit punch dominated more by pears and grapes than mangoes; even though it's not listed in the ingredients, it also tastes like artificial peach. I can't actually taste any mango, which is not surprising given that of the various fruit concentrates going into this drink, mango is listed last. It's cloyingly sweet and leaves a sour aftertaste. Cheap, but tastes terrible. F. Pass.

*****

Mira
"Mango Premium Tropical Nectar"

Product of Egypt

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.57
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 130 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 40mg / Sugars - 31g

Composition:
23% Juice. Water, Mango Puree, Sugar, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Chloride, Natural Colors (Annatto).

Taste & Texture:
A thick yellow-orange liquid. Actually tastes like mango, and is nice and sweet. There is a hint of something bitter or "industrial" tasting (for lack of a better word) in this drink. It's not unpleasant, but it's just noticeable after the initial sweet flavor. The drink finishes cleanly with no lingering aftertaste. Kinda pricey, but it's alright. C+. Try.

*****

Jumex
"Mango Nectar from Concentrate"

Product of Mexico

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.38
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 140 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 40mg / Sugars - 32g

Composition:
30% Juice. Water, Mango Puree from Concentrate, Sugar and/or HFCS, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene.

Taste & Texture:
A thick yellow-orange liquid. Tastes sort of like mango, but no cigar. It's not sweet enough; actually, it's a little on the sour side - like underripe mangoes were used. Leaves a slight sour taste in the mouth. C-. Pass.

*****

Goya
"Mango Nectar"

Product of Canada

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.48
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 140 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 5mg / Sugars - 35 g

Composition:
23% Juice. Water, Mango Puree, Liquid Invert Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Ascorbic Acid.

Taste & Texture:
A thick-ish yellow-orange liquid. Of this group of four drinks, tastes the most like mango. It also has a nice mango-ey aroma to it. Nice and sweet, and it has just a right amount of tanginess to it. B+. Buy.

*****

Flag icons from jacorre.com.

Mother's Garden

Orange tulips from my mom's garden.



Clicking on the above picture will lead to my flickr album for this set.

2008 Honda Accord Coupe

2008 Honda Accord Coupe LX-S. Belize Blue.



Sweet!


My review of the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe is available at: http://bobbypd.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-of-2008-honda-accord-coupe-lx.html

The Animals of Manhattan

Some animals from around Manhattan (2008 edition).



Charging Bull (AKA Wall Street Bull). There's usually a throng of tourists around this sculpture, found at Bowling Green, Lower Manhattan, even at night.







Sparrows hanging out and bathing in Central Park.



A Duck in Central Park's Pond.

Squirrels found in Central and Battery Park.

Seagulls around Battery Park Pier. Must be nice.

Quick Hop to Roosevelt Island

I was walking around the city when I saw an interesting building on 60th and 2nd.

There was some sort of car hanging on a wire and thought that it was some aerial sightseeing tour of the city. Not wanting to miss any touristy opportunities, I dashed up the stairs, but noticed that there were the standard subway turnstiles at the gate. My initial enthusiasm quickly subsided as I realized that this was not some sightseeing tour, but just an aerial tram to-and-from Roosevelt Island. The ride was only $2, so I thought I'd go anyway just to see the island.

The Queensboro bridge from above

A view down 2nd (?) Avenue



The Queensboro Bridge as we passed

There wasn't really that much on the island. There was this factory, some abandoned warehouse, and a bunch of plain-looking apartment blocks.

The best thing going for it was the view of Manhattan. Actually, as I was taking pictures, some random woman came up behind me and started laughing at me - no joke. I suppose she found it funny that someone could find anything worthy of taking pictures of on her island.



The UN building as seen from Roosevelt Island.