SOY VIVO – The Personal Blog of Phillip Roman!

MMM….cupcakes.

My fiancé is a semiprofessional cupcake (and the occasional muffin and regular sized cake – oh and she makes good lemon bars – so does that make her a semipro baker?? I don’t know.) baker. When we heard that Trophy Cupcakes was opening their first shop on the Eastside, we were excited to try it out. Trophy’s Bellevue location is in newly built luxury shopping center, The Bravern (FYI: ridiculously expensive parking if you do not validate). After enjoying a red velvet cupcake and hot chocolate, I questioned Suzanne which cupcake shop did she like more, Trophy Cupcakes or Cupcake Royale?

She said that she liked Trophy’s cupcakes and decor. Trophy does have a princess-esque style, which I obviously do not care about. The Bellevue location is small and is not set up for lounging (we had to eat outside). Their cupcakes were good but the highlight of the experience was the hot chocolate (they use homemade marshmallows). Cupcake Royale also has great cupcakes but a very urban coffee shop feel. Cupcake Royale also have free wifi!!! (I am actually writing this post from Cupcake Royale in Capitol Hill.) Since both places have great cupcakes and espresso, I am going to have to call Cupcake Royale the winner. I cannot pass up an opportunity to set up a mobile office and load up on carbs and caffeine.

The M1 is the epitome of BMW’s greatness. I have always wanted one and hope to one day buy a ‘81. I have hoped that BMW would one day bring back their beloved supercar. I was excited to see a while back in ‘08 that BMW was working on a M1 prototype….and am angry to have just hear some “confirmed” rumors that BMW is bastardizing the M1 by making it a hybrid.

I understand that BMW is not Ferrari and will probably never perfect the supercar at a profitable rate but why not try? Why would BMW limit perfection? The 2012 M1 is supposed to go 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. Don’t get me wrong, that is fast but not faster then the 2008 Audi R8, which BMW is positioning as the M1’s competitor.

Okay, I understand the whole green thing is perceived as important to BMW (hence those stupid commercials) but why call it an M1?

Wired Article

The last few weeks Suzanne and I have been hanging out at Top Pot doughnuts in Bellevue. We have only really gone to Top Pot a few times when we lived in Capitol Hill but we have both recently discovered the emotional qualities of a daily doughnuts (and hopefully will never discover the physical qualities). Top Pot offers free wifi, which is great! Free wifi really provides the idea that you can still “go out” and be productive. I often forget that when you go to a cafe or in this case a doughnut shop, there are many distractions such as people watching or just staring out the window into the city.

Anywho, Top Pot doughnuts are obviously the best ever and because of their partnership with Starbucks, they are even available back in Porterville, CA. Their Bellevue shop is really cool. Besides an awesome doughnut and free wifi, there are a few more perks: the employees are really friendly, there is plenty of space to set up a telecommute office, the employees do not care if you set up office there, and a location is conveniently located in Washington Square. Now the only really bad things are they are only open until 7pm and also Washington Square’s parking is $2/hour with a $10 max and 1 hour free with validation. There are a few 20 minute parking spots out front but no readily available free long term parking. However, the new location is great and will probably remain my office for some time.

I am currently writing this post at [some will probably be after-(it was)] my Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat with Suzanne. EE is a couple’s weekend that is a requirement for marrage in most parishes in the Puget Sound area.

Months ago when Suzanne and I were first talking (to each other) about marriage, we first discovered EE. EE is designed to be a weekend dialogue with your fiancé with the outlook as leaving as a stronger partner. EE is supposed to be challenging because it not only stirs your emotions but it provokes conversations that you never knew you needed to have (and it did).

Although we had a positive experience, I could not help but poke fun of the campish atmosphere. For example, the food was not the best, we slept in bunk beds that were way too small, and I fell asleep every night to the sound of snores and the occasional fart. Considering marriage is often seen as the ultimate sign of growing up, it was fitting that we all got to have the chance to go to summer camp one last time and really grow in our relationship.

EE was such a great experience, I would recommend it to every couple.

Seattle Catholic Engaged Encounter Link

Just saw this ad on TV. Effective? Probably.

Update: Dave’s Response

Moveon.org can tell anyone they want that I voted against a $1.1 trillion government take-over of health care that would increase the cost of care, impose new penalty taxes on small businesses, and prevent Americans from keeping the care they have if they like it.  That vote was in the best interests of my constituents and the American people, I stand by it, and I will continue to fight for common-sense reforms that incorporate the best ideas from both sides of the aisle.