While it is widely acknowledged in North Carolina that Cookout shakes are far superior than any others (yes, even better than Steak 'n' Shake), I must give the nod to Coldstone in coffee-flavored milkshake department.  For those of you who are unaware, Cookout is a Greensboro-based drive-through place with backyard-style burgers and extraordinarily thick and creamy milkshakes that are served with both a straw and a spoon.  During college, the Burlington Cookout would stay open until 3:03 AM for those late-night treats that cost only $2.01.  What a bargain!  And considering that coffee ice cream is my favorite flavor, I decided to branch out from my usual pineapple shake and try the cappucino variety of Cookout shake, which sadly, does not hold a candle to Coldstone's.  I think the inherent difference is that Cookout starts with a vanilla base and adds cappucino to it, while Coldstone simply uses the coffee-flavored ice cream without any further additions.

In other random news, if you haven't ever heard the Feed the Animals album by Girl Talk listed above, you have to listen.  It is an amazing feat of mixology of songs that cross multiple genres and eras.  The person(s) who compiled it had 12 hours of listening time for every minute of music that's recorded on the cd.  Wowsers.