Wimbledon

The following is a reconstructed conversation regarding Wimbledon:

Adam: We went and saw Wimbledon this afternoon. I enjoyed it.
Friend: Who's in it?
Adam: Kirsten Dunst and the main guy really looks like the guy from A Beautiful Mind...you know the imaginary friend.
plasticann: It's the same guy.
Adam: Well, there you have it!

Hapless, but it's uphill from here on out

Unfortunately, I'm encountering multiple mishaps today:
1. My fingers keep confusing the "G" and "T" keys and I keep spelling "conglomerate," "conglomerage."
2. I keep inadvertently shutting down my computer when I'm trying to open my CD tray. Like some sort of moth, I'm fatally drawn to the lighted on/off button.
3. I got a "transcript" today except it's a media file of this guy talking. Unfortunately I don't have speakers and I don't read lips.

Fortunately, I'm implemented some preventative measures and remedies:
1. I'm going to stretch my fingers more when typing...note that I've correctly spelled fingers and did not spell "finters."
2. I taped some cardboard over my on/off button.
3. I'm getting some speakers on Monday from the IT guy.

The Mystery of the Missing Sherbet

Last week, I jaywalked over to our local Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins hybrid and picked up some vanilla ice cream and rainbow sherbet for happy half hour. Most people enjoyed the Coke floats with vanilla ice cream, but I was the only one who ventured over to the rainbow sherbet with my sparkling water sherbet concoction. Pondering our happy hour options, I checked on our frozen treat supply this afternoon. I was shocked and dismayed to discover an empty carton because I barely made a dent in the sherbet last week. I'm not sure who's been dipping into the sherbet at such an impressive rate, but I've eliminated four possible culprits...myself included. Since no one has openly flaunted their sherbet eating, I'm on a mission to weed out the sherbet enthusiast, if only to offer my congratulations.

Public Service Announcement: Not to be confused with sorbet, sherbet is not diary free.

Speaking of "Fever Pitch"

Jeff doesn't like baseball

Fever Pitch

This is a reconstructed conversation between plasticann and "friend."

Friend: Have you heard about that movie with Drew Barrymore and it's about the Red Sox?
plasticann: No...I don't think so.
Friend: It's based on a Nick Hornby book and it's called Fever Pitch. The book was about soccer, but the movie adapts the book for baseball. A pitch in soccer is the field, but I don't get why they called the movie Fever Pitch because the movie is about baseball.
plasticann: Well...don't they "pitch" the ball in baseball?
Friend: Why didn't I think of that? It's been really bothering me for days, but now it makes sense.
plasticann: I laugh at you. Ha ha ha. Just kidding.

"Zesty" Orange Cranberry Scones with Glaze

The Cranberry Orange scone I ordered last weekend was dry and chalky, but the winsome flavor combination inspired me to create a "zestier" version of my cranberry scones.

2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1 stick chilled unsalted butter
2/3-3/4 cup milk

zest from 1 orange
1 cup dried cranberries

Mix together flour, sugar, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Combine butter and flour mixture and blend by hand or with a mixer until mixture has a course crumbly texture. Mix in milk until mixture becomes doughy and holds together. Mix in the zest and dried cranberries. Just divide dough into even mounds onto a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F until tops start to turn light brown.

Orange Glaze:
Whisk together approx. 1/2 cup powdered sugar & a small amount of orange juice. Add orange juice until the glaze is the the consistency of half and half. (Not too liquid and not too thick.) Brush the tops of the cooled scones with the glaze.

Road Rage

Somebody very very bad gave plasticmom the finger while she was driving the other day. Although plasticmom did not know exactly what the finger communicated, she caught wind of the negative vibes so she turned into a parking lot to lay low and to let the angry driver pass. The following is a reconstructed conversation between plasticmom and plasticann.

plasticmom: I was wondering, what does it mean when someone sticks up their middle finger?
plasticann: Very bad...very rude...why?
plasticmom: I was driving the other day and someone got mad at me and stuck up their middle finger when they drove by me. I asked my boss what it meant, but he refused to explain and told me to ask my other boss so I figured I would ask you.
plasticann: That was mean. Well, it basically means "f*&% you." Sorry!
plasticmom: That's OK...I was just wondering. I'm just glad they didn't get out of their car and start yelling at me.

plasticmom, a prolific reader, has encountered the written "f*&% you," but not so much the verbal or the nonverbal version of the sentiment.

Who You Callin' Pedestrian?

The following is a reconstructed conversation featuring Adam and Wine Enthusiast aka WE.

Adam: I really do enjoy Riesling.
WE: Well, once you've been drinking wine for a while, you'll start to appreciate the good stuff.
Adam: That's interesting. Ann's reading Richardson and according to him, "As sugar became a cheap, staple food through the nineteenth century and its luxury status was forgotten, sweet foods began to be associated with the poor more than the rich. Today, the medieval status of sugar as the food of kings and the aristocracy has been reversed: the poorest people eat the most sugar. Those who consider themselves to be individuals of taste and discernment assiduously avoid sugar in all but its most expensive and exclusive forms ('bitter' chocolate is desirable, since its sweetness is tempered and thus made sophisticated.) A taste for sweet is seen as infantile, old-fashioned or low-class: only the lowest of the low would favour a sweet German wine over a crisp dry sauvignon blanc."

Plasticann's post showdown analysis:
Score one for Bakun. I enjoy all things sweet including Riesling. I wonder how appalled the elites would be if I were to add some simple syrup to sweeten a glass of that "crisp dry sauvignon blanc." Next up...I'll become a proponent of Riesling in a box.

Sweet Potato Fries with Blue Cheese

After reading the review for the fries, I promptly e-mailed the link to Adam. The following is a reconstructed e-mail conversation between plasticann and Adam.

plasticann: Magnolia sweet potato strings...looks good.
Adam: Yummy!
plasticann: When can we go? I'm hungry for french fries.
Adam: How about next Friday?
plasticann: What about Thursday?

Good thing I've killed off enough of my taste buds that I now enjoy blue cheese because Adam's a bit of a fan of the stinky stuff...he's only met one cheese he didn't like.

Wrong Bathroom

I stopped by the restroom before leaving work last night and saw one of my male coworkers drying his hands with a paper towel. I initially greeted him with a friendly, "Hi *&%$#," but started stammering incoherently once I realized something was wrong. My thoughts, "why am I in the same bathroom as him, it says 'women' and it looks like the women's bathroom," were expressed inarticulately as "ahhh bathroom wrong bathroom sorry men's sorry ahhh" while I quickly backed out of the restroom. Turns out the men's room was being cleaned so he was using the women's restroom so I was in the right this time. Unfortunately my worst fears are not unfounded because I have repeatedly walk into the men's room by accident at Henrietta's Table and the CPK near Park Plaza.

33% less for 33% more food

Adam the genius has sniffed out another food find. Elephant Walk is offering a summer tasting menu: four courses for $20. Last week's Restaurant Week was 3 courses for 30 bucks (price/course=$10)...this is 4 courses for 20 bucks (price/course=$5). I don't know where Adam finds out about these things, but I'm excited.

Back to our regular programming...Food, Food and more Food

1. Rouge on Friday night in the South End: Adam and I shared the Beef Brisket, Mac & Cheese and Fried Catfingers. Very tasty, but they weren't offering their famously fabulous bread basket and the yummy spread I had heard about. Adam inadvertently created a line for the restroom by thoroughly reading the reviews posted on the restroom wall.

2. Vegetarian Ravioli at Taiwan Cafe: Wheezy, Kristen and I stopped by Taiwan Cafe (an old favorite) for a late night snack Saturday night after Princess Diaries 2 (delightful by the way). Since Wheezy is an herbivore, we were given the opportunity to actually branch out and order new items. The vegetarian raviolis were steamed dumplings stuffed with a pillowy "vegetable/tofu/glassy noodle/general good stuff" filling. I think I've found a new favorite.

3. Vietnamese sandwiches at Saigon Sandwich: Kristen and I stopped by Saigon Sandwich Sunday afternoon for a quick lunch. We both enjoyed the "VN Cold Cut" sandwich ($2). Other sandwiches, such as curry chicken, shredded pork and vegetarian tofu, cost a whopping 50 cents more at $2.50. The baguette was warm and crispy reminding me of the sandwich stall I used to frequent back in la la land. Word of caution: Kristen can attest the hot peppers are quite hot and don't think too much of what's in the "cold cuts," just enjoy it.

apolitical

I usually try to keep the blog far from politics so this is an anomaly. While I was trying to wake up this morning, I was listening to New Yorkers were being interviewed about the Republican National Convention on Morning Edition. Most were, understandably, miffed and annoyed about the inconvenient security measures surrounding the convention. However one man commented that he did not understand why the RNC was in NYC. All the Republicans were in Texas so the convention should be in Texas. Bwah ha ha! I laughed at him.

Restaurant Week

Adam and I checked out Bambara last night for Restaurant Week. We both enjoyed the smoked salmon blini appetizer and the hanger steak with onion tart entree. I vastly preferred my chocolate creme brulee over Adam's strawberry/peach shortcake dessert. Bambara also offered in intriguing root beer float made with root beer granita and vanilla ice cream. Unfortunately, I forgot to ascertain what the "hanger" part of hanger steak was. Fortunately, it was just beef and not some strange meat product and it was quite delicious.

Bohnanza

After consuming a delicious meal of carnitas, homemade guacamole and salsa among other things provided by the K & D, we sat down to a game of Bohnanza. I've been skeptical about this bean themed game, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I cared about my "beans." There are very few activities where it is socially acceptable to say, "How about a stink bean for two blue beans?"

BoSox Snack Swap

We enjoyed our "BoSox Snack Swap" during lunch today. This fun idea came about rather organically when a couple of folks formed "the committee" a few days ago after hitting upon the winning idea of a Yankee Lunch Swap. Not willing to risk eating a "crappy lunch," the activity was downgraded to a less risky snack swap styled after the classic Yankee gift swap to gauge whether we were ready for a lunch swap.

Although "the committee" honored Steve's request that the "Yankee Snack Swap" appropriately reference the Boston Red Sox, "the committee" upheld its responsibility to ensure the integrity of the the snack swap by openly shaming Steve's flagrant attempt to flout the spirit and purpose of the snack swap. He had the audacity to [in my presence] stuff a brown paper bag (used by all to "wrap" the snacks) with random snacks found in the office kitchen. This was a crappy snack not because office snacks are crappy, but because swapworthy snacks must originate outside the office. To Steve's credit, he included a generous selection of granola bars, rice krispy treats, etc. from the office snack supply. However, "the committee" [plasticann with the blessing of "the committee"] marked his bag with a big "frowny face." Fortunately, all was redeemed when Steve honorably chose his own bag on his turn so "the committee" was not forced to make an example of Steve by shunning him.

Our "BoSox Snack Swap" turned out quite well. Not a lot of stealing, but Team Mark & Jenny with their adorable "no longer a baby" toddler came in with a last minute steal to clinch the ice cream sandwiches. Representative snacks included: chocolate muffin, homemade ice cream sandwiches, huge bag of trail mix, homemade chocolate chip cookies, raspberry yogurt drink/nutter butters and finally the aforementioned grab bag of office snacks. We may not be ready to upgrade to a lunch swap, but I got some awesome cookies so I'm lobbying "the committee" for another edition of the "BoSox Snack Swap."

Retractable Highlighters

Wheezy was admiring these retractable highlighters when she stopped by the office for lunch yesterday. I could tell she liked them because she obsessively clicked my purple one and said, "these are really cool, where are they from?" I got permission from *&% Pres. Zay to "sneak" her not just one, but two highlighters from our supply room stash since Wheezy's one of his favorites.

Wandering Trio

MGDub, Wheezy and I met up on Sunday for our shopping adventure to the new Levenger store at the Prudential. Before we reached our intended destination, we stopped by Kitty World (Hello Kitty store), EMS, the Hello Kitty Kiosk at the Prudential and The Walking Store, where MGDub picked up a pair of "bumper shoes" similar to mine. Much to my chagrin, Adam likens my "bumper shoes" to corrective "orthopedic shoes." I quite enjoy my sporty sandals with a rubber bumper toe guard and now that MGDub owns a pair, I feel vindicated.

Alas, I digress. Our cheery trio finally made our way to the Levenger store where we disrupted the neatly organized displays of goods and disturbed other shoppers with our enthusiastic bursts of chatter: "look at this," "how cool is that and how utterly unnecessary," and "how much?"

In need of sustenance, we hit the Krispy Kreme on our way out. We were intrigued by the glazed chocolate cake doughnut so I ordered a lemon filled and a chocolate cake "for the table." I mentioned to MGDub in passing we could share my extra doughnut. I doubled back after I paid only to hear MGDub and Wheezy each ordering a jelly doughnut and a chocolate cake.

plasticann: I got the chocolate cake to share, I guess you didn't hear me say that.
MGDub: No I heard. I was going to share your doughnut, but then I heard Wheezy ordering her own chocolate cake so I decided I wanted my own chocolate cake.

This was followed by a classic amusing Wheezy and MGDub exchange where they discover new things they have in common.

MGDub: You played soccer? I played soccer.
Wheezy: What position did you play?
MGDub: blah blah blah!
Wheezy: Me too.
MGDub: Nohhh Suhhh!

Garrison Confections

Spotting this new chocolate store on Hope Street in Providence, I expressed my enthusiasm by squealing like a little girl and insisting we stop by for a visit. My friend Zames described the chocolate treats as, "flavors you've always wished someone would make and high quality." I tried the Mojito and Adam ventured into sandwich territory with the PB&J. Sure enough, the PB&J was true to form with a layer of PB and a layer of J enrobed in delicious chocolate. Next time I'm in Providence, I'll be sure to pack some tupperware in a larger bag for some strategic chocolate procurement.

Crispy Glazed Pop Secret Recall

Responding positively to a Pop Secret TV commercial, I ran out and bought both varieties of the new Crispy Glazed Pop Secret: Caramel and Kettle Corn. We popped it up during happy hour a few weeks ago. I overindulged and ended up with a self induced tummy ache. Mark, who also felt a bit ill after the popcorn experience, sent me this recall notice. The popping directions involved multiple warnings about hot burning glaze. Fortunately, I heeded all precautions and narrowly escaped bodily harm...that was a close one.

Quiche Pot Pie

Craving more than a piece of toast for dinner, I baked up this tasty Quiche Pot Pie last night.

Heat up the oven to 400 degrees and pull out a nine inch square Pyrex dish. Fill the pan with around an inch of a tasty combo of ingredients such as:
Cubed Ham Steak
Frozen Corn Kernels
Frozen Peas

Whisk together the following and pour over ham/corn/peas:
4 Eggs
around 1/4 cup Whipping Cream
Salt & Pepper

Mix together this Bisquik topping and spoon over egg mixtures:
1 cup Bisquik
1 Egg
1/2 cup Milk

Bake at 400 degrees for around 30 minutes or until biscuit topping is golden brown and the egg is cooked through. I think the whipping cream definately makes a difference and the egg cooks up much flufflier than watery skim milk.

Growing Milk

Steve, unrelated to accidentally consuming four shots of espresso this morning, was in fine comedic form at lunch.

Steve: Because there are farms nearby, people ride their horses in my town. Sometimes you just see the horse running around.
plasticann: What do they grow on the farms?
Steve: Milk!

Apparently, the farms also grow ice cream.

Havaianas

plasticmom has been living in her red Havaianas this summer. She reports they haven't left her feet during waking hours in months. Although her red ones are still going strong, she may want another pair for the sake of variety. I'm thinking of these cute Dot ones for her because I can't quite justify acquiring a seventh pair.

Eccentricities

Every so often I get random pieces of mail from plasticmom, sometimes without an explanation as to its relevancy. Once, it was a wrapper for frozen scallion pancakes. The explanation...you should try this brand of frozen scallion pancakes...they're quite tasty. plasticmom does helpfully highlight certain articles when sending clippings, but sometimes it's just an ad with no context. This morning, I received some unsolicited mail from plasticmom. The contents, a flier detailing the comprehensive Kindergarten Curriculum now offered at my pre-K and K alma mater...Happy Day School. When asked why she sent me the flier, plasticmom e-mailed this response, "you should upgrade yourself, otherwise you won't be able to compete with young Happy Day kindergarteners." She's right, back in my day, we didn't have Math, Computer, Science and Foreign Language. We did print the alphabet everyday, read little books, played with rusty nails and colored a lot. Heck, I didn't even tackle learning how to tell time until I was at least in first grade.

Bright Idea

My massive move this weekend went swimmingly with all the wonderful friends who helped on a sweltering day. We love our apartment and we're really exited about. However, we've discovered one particularly strange quirk about our new place. I was in my room on Saturday afternoon with the Doritys and Adam when I noticed peculiar nubbins in my wall. Upon closer inspection, I realize the nubbins were pushpins that had been painted over. The geniuses who painted the wall had the bright idea to NOT pull out the push pins before painting. We later realized all our walls were "quirky." Note to visitors, DO NOT pull out ANY push pins out of our walls, you'll leave a gaping hole in our paint which is much worse than the "nubbins."