Phone it in Friday: Five Best-est

Happy Friday, friends! What d'ya say you make a list for us of the five best anything you want. Five best movies, breakup songs, beers, vacation destinations, comic books, blogs, zoo animals, ANTM contestants, female book heroines, Firefox add-ons, TV theme songs, breakfast foods, ways to spend a rainy day. Anything you want! Teach us something good.

Show me that smile again (oooh, show me that smile)

A few weeks ago, I had the stomach flu and spent all of Sunday in bed watching America's Next Top Model. The next day, I moved to the sofa and spent much of the day watching Very Special Episodes of The Biggest Loser and emailing Heidi to tell her I was recording them. Because that was something she NEEDED to know ASAP.

This week, I've come down with The Ohio Crud, which is what an actual doctor called it a couple of years ago. It's a cold, really, but comes as a result Ohio's ever-changing weather. For you see, it may be 20 degrees one day, but the very next day could be a balmy 60. That's just how we roll here in Ohio. Learn it, live it, love it. Buy some tissues.

A few of my coworkers had it last week, and so I was all, "WHY DO THEY KEEP COMING TO WORK IF THEY'RE SICK? I'M GONNA GET SICK, I JUST KNOW IT AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ahem. And then this week, I was all, "I don't have enough PTO to be taking time off just because I feel like my head might explode from THE PRESSURE THE PRESSURE OH GOD THE PRESSURE," and so I tried to go to work but that sucked so I went home sick.

Anyway. Since a lot of you probably have some version of The Crud yourself and you MAY have even taken a couple days off work, you're probably in need of some entertainment. Never fear, for now I shall give you: The Five Best TV Show Marathons to Have When You're Sick.

1. Reality Show Jackpot

This happens when you're flipping channels, only to come across a marathon of some sort of reality show. It can't be too stimulating -- stay away from things like The Amazing Race that might raise your heartrate too much. Stick with things like America's Next Top Model, Top Chef, Jon and Kate Plus 8, What Not to Wear, or The Biggest Loser. These are all good options because when Bravo or whatever is showing one episode, chances are they're showing about 15 more right afterward. Plus, The Biggest Loser is way inspirational and may even motivate you to make that long trek to the kitchen for more hot tea.

2. 80s Show/TGIF Nostalgia Time!

Perfect Strangers. The Wonder Years. Cheers. Growing Pains. Mr. Belvedere. Full House. Family Matters. Who's the Boss? Charles in Charge.

I mean, come on. Watch this and tell me you don't feel better already:



3. Lost

Even if you weren't all hopped up on cold meds, it STILL wouldn't make sense, so why NOT watch it? Other confusing options: The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

4. Arrested Development

There's nothing quite like watching the Bluths to make you feel better about yourself, even if you're unshowered and unbra-ed, smell like Vicks Vapor Rub, and have dried chicken noodle soup broth caked all over your shirt. At least you're not this guy:



5. Pride & Prejudice

I'm not talking about Kiera Knightley, here, I'm talking about the A&E Pride & Prejudice miniseries starring none other than: Colin Firth. In fact, when I told my mom I was home sick and that it was OK because I needed to do research for this list ANYWAY, she was all, "Well, you know what the best TV show to watch when you're sick is, don't you?" and I was all, "What?" and she was like, "Pride & Prejudice DUH." It's true. The best part is, it's five hours long so you won't have to move from the sofa unless you need more 7-UP.

5 Best Cartoons I Watched After School.

My intention was to write you a thoughtful analysis of the effect each of these 5 best cartoons I watched after school had on my development as a woman, lawyer, and all-around human being, but work is nomming me alive. So no thoughtful analysis for you.

THANK GOD FOR YOUTUBE.

5. DuckTales



4. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers



3. Animaniacs



2. Tiny Toon Adventures



1. The Powerpuff Girls



Your turn! What were your favorite after-school cartoons?

Five Best Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Flavors

Recently, I received an email in my work inbox inviting me to a national conference. I get a lot of these because national conference is code word for trade show where lots of people try to sell me things and I string them along in true Schilbo fashion getting as much free stuff as I can before peacing out. Good fun. But this "national conference" was different. See, Ben and Jerry are headlining it. I actually want to meet them and not just their free stuff!

Of course, I want the free stuff too because Ben and Jerry (or B and J if you're feeling dirty) make my favoritest ice creams. Without further ado, the Five Best Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Flavors:

Half Baked
Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Creams with Fudge Brownies & Gobs of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough


Phish Food
Chocolate Ice Cream with Gooey Marshmallow, a Caramel Swirl & Fudge Fish


Coffee Heath Bar Crunch
Coffee Ice Cream with Chunks of HEATH® Bar Crunch (made with Fair Trade Certified™ coffee)


Karamel Sutra
A Core of Soft Caramel Encircled by Chocolate & Caramel Ice Creams & Fudge Chips
One time, I tried to recreate the caramel core. With the help of several very creative friends, we melted and drizzled and drilled the caramel at least three different ways and still were unable to replicate the genius consistency of the caramel core of this ice cream. Do not take it for granted.


Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream

Vanilla Ice Cream with Fudge Covered Waffle Cone Pieces & a Caramel Swirl


I sadly haven't tried every Ben and Jerry flavor (because I can't help but buy the ones I already love so much), but I think I might try a few more. And since we're on the general topic, my favorite ice cream flavor is coffee and my favorite ice cream toppings are fudge, caramel, marshmallow goo, and cookie dough. (And I'm not a big fan of fruit in my ice cream.) Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE those by-the-ounce yogurt places because I can add as many favorite toppings AS I WANT.

If you're as passionate as you should be as I am, you might want to consider joining Ben and Jerry's ChunkSpelunker Club. Perks include:

• You’ll receive ChunkMail, our version of an email newsletter. We
  only send ChunkMail when we have something flavorful to say, about once
  a month.


• You will be the first to know about new flavor avenues we’re traveling.


• You’ll receive invitations to special events if they’re happening in your area.


• You’ll gain “back stage pass” access to web site chats, games, and contests.


• If you get selected, we’ll even look to you as an Honorary Flavor
  Judicator or Flavor Cultivator to help us concoct some crazy ice cream
  creations.


• We’ll have a monthly drawing for a chance to win a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

A year's supply!! Now, sign up. I'll just be over here convincing my boss that I need to go to this conference.

5 Best Junk Foods

I'm phoning it in so hard today. Forgive me. I'm up to my eyeballs in paperwork and I'm still not over the Strep Throat From Hell.

5) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
4) Tom's Hot Fries (I think you can only get these things if you live in the southeast, but mmm... boy.)
3) Coca-Cola Classic
2) Fresh chocolate chip cookies from Tesco. (UK only)
1) Honey-Bun cupcakes, 2 pack (Jamaica only)

List your favorite junk foods? Go!