Odd Couple
MGDub and I were chatting last night when we got on the topic of Little People Big World.
plasticann: Hey, I'm really enjoying LPBW.
MGDub: Isn't it a good show! I really like the dad Matt, he's my favorite.
plasticann: I kinda like the kids and the mom, Amy.
MGDub: I don't like how Amy's a naysayer. I like how Matt's into his farm, it made me so sad when he had to go back to his corporate job.
plasticann: Well, I thought it was a good idea he went back to selling software, he does have a family to support and no health insurance. Plus Amy was stressed out about finances.
MGDub: [defensively] Well, has he ever not provided for his family.
plasticann: [even more defensively] Well, it's stressing amy out.
MGDub: Well, Amy just needs to chill out.
plasticann & MGDub: [laughter]
I don't think I quite appreciate Matt's free spiritness as much as MGDub. I identify with Amy.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Redeeming
Last Sunday, I procrastinated by watching four episodes of "My Super Sweet Sixteen" on MTV. Honestly, the excess is slightly nauseating, but I'm morbidly drawn to it. One reviewer likened the show to eating an entire sheet cake in one sitting and feeling sick afterwards. What gets me is that the kids on the show aren't even happy which mostly makes me feel grateful that I'm not super nor sixteen. When Adam got home last Sunday, I had to confess that I'd procrastinated from studying by watching the show. Initially, he didn't really understand why I felt the need to fess up until I later revealed that I'd watched four episodes and had started to watch Tiara Girls. What's worse is I could have been watching TIVOed episodes of Little People Big World, a vastly more reeming show with extremely likable characters so I was able to eventually revers the effects of watching My Super Sweet Sixteen by watching multiple episodes of Little People Big World.
Last Sunday, I procrastinated by watching four episodes of "My Super Sweet Sixteen" on MTV. Honestly, the excess is slightly nauseating, but I'm morbidly drawn to it. One reviewer likened the show to eating an entire sheet cake in one sitting and feeling sick afterwards. What gets me is that the kids on the show aren't even happy which mostly makes me feel grateful that I'm not super nor sixteen. When Adam got home last Sunday, I had to confess that I'd procrastinated from studying by watching the show. Initially, he didn't really understand why I felt the need to fess up until I later revealed that I'd watched four episodes and had started to watch Tiara Girls. What's worse is I could have been watching TIVOed episodes of Little People Big World, a vastly more reeming show with extremely likable characters so I was able to eventually revers the effects of watching My Super Sweet Sixteen by watching multiple episodes of Little People Big World.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Cute Or Not
Kittenwar is a "hot or not" version with kittens, "may the cutest kitten win!" My strategy team spent a better part of our meeting checking out the kittens on the site. Winningest kittens is like a hall of fame of kitens who've won a lot of cute kitten battles while the Losingest kittens are so un-cute, you'll want to avert your eyes. Much to cat loving Adam's chagrin, I'm not into the idea of having a cat for the following [very shallow] reasons.
1. My sweater wardrobe helps me survive New England winters and I don't want a kitty to ruin my sweaters.
2. We just got new furniture.
3. [the real reason] I don't want to compete with a kitty and be #2.
Kittenwar is a "hot or not" version with kittens, "may the cutest kitten win!" My strategy team spent a better part of our meeting checking out the kittens on the site. Winningest kittens is like a hall of fame of kitens who've won a lot of cute kitten battles while the Losingest kittens are so un-cute, you'll want to avert your eyes. Much to cat loving Adam's chagrin, I'm not into the idea of having a cat for the following [very shallow] reasons.
1. My sweater wardrobe helps me survive New England winters and I don't want a kitty to ruin my sweaters.
2. We just got new furniture.
3. [the real reason] I don't want to compete with a kitty and be #2.
Friday, May 05, 2006
A Grande No Whip Akeelah & the Bee
After a tasty dinner at PF Chang's that included [vegetarian] lettace wraps, Wheezy and I saw Akeelah and the Bee, the movie Starbucks has produced and marketing like mad at all of their stores. The movie was awesome and the kids were great...nine thumbs up. To top off a already successful night out, we walked over to Fanueil Hall for some Beard Papa Cream Puffs.
...now the geekier part of this post.
We've been discussing "synergies" in strategy class this week and it has just dawned on me that this whole Starbucks producing a movie and then promoting it in their stores just might be an example of a company expanding into new and seemingly unrelated lines of business. According to my textbook, synergies are achieved when Starbucks somehow makes more money doing both coffee and movies than a movie and coffee company would earn individually. Sort of that mathematically unlogical cliche, "one plus one is more than two." Disney making cartoons, but also featuring those cartoon characters at Disneyland is a brilliant example of how making movies can increase demand and ticket prices for theme parks which in turn increase customer's demand for movies...yada yada yada. Afterall, I know that Mickey lives at Disneyland and by golly I pay big bucks to hang out with him and his gaggle of friends. While I'm very pleased with Starbucks coffee and I'm charmed by Akeelah, I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay more to see a Starbucks made movie or pay more to drink a coffee that's movie related. Maybe they save money by marketing it inhouse...maybe that's the link I'm missing.
After a tasty dinner at PF Chang's that included [vegetarian] lettace wraps, Wheezy and I saw Akeelah and the Bee, the movie Starbucks has produced and marketing like mad at all of their stores. The movie was awesome and the kids were great...nine thumbs up. To top off a already successful night out, we walked over to Fanueil Hall for some Beard Papa Cream Puffs.
...now the geekier part of this post.
We've been discussing "synergies" in strategy class this week and it has just dawned on me that this whole Starbucks producing a movie and then promoting it in their stores just might be an example of a company expanding into new and seemingly unrelated lines of business. According to my textbook, synergies are achieved when Starbucks somehow makes more money doing both coffee and movies than a movie and coffee company would earn individually. Sort of that mathematically unlogical cliche, "one plus one is more than two." Disney making cartoons, but also featuring those cartoon characters at Disneyland is a brilliant example of how making movies can increase demand and ticket prices for theme parks which in turn increase customer's demand for movies...yada yada yada. Afterall, I know that Mickey lives at Disneyland and by golly I pay big bucks to hang out with him and his gaggle of friends. While I'm very pleased with Starbucks coffee and I'm charmed by Akeelah, I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay more to see a Starbucks made movie or pay more to drink a coffee that's movie related. Maybe they save money by marketing it inhouse...maybe that's the link I'm missing.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Still Feels Like Winter
The weather report from Cambridge today, cold, dreary, wet, dank...still feels like winter. My friend Jeff shared his philosophy on where to live, "it can be cold or expensive, but not both." He has an excellent point, Cambridge is both cold and expensive so we're really paying big bucks to freeze our big butts off. Applying Jeff's excellent methodology, we should all move to Alaska (cold and cheap) or Hawaii (expensive and warm). On that note, I must drink some hot tea.
The weather report from Cambridge today, cold, dreary, wet, dank...still feels like winter. My friend Jeff shared his philosophy on where to live, "it can be cold or expensive, but not both." He has an excellent point, Cambridge is both cold and expensive so we're really paying big bucks to freeze our big butts off. Applying Jeff's excellent methodology, we should all move to Alaska (cold and cheap) or Hawaii (expensive and warm). On that note, I must drink some hot tea.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Best Scones Ever
I whipped up some Glazed Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones this morning and sent half of them with Adam to work. Someone exclaimed, "these are the best scones ever." Awww...he just might be my favorite, if not for his super adorable introverted son Zam. On Easter, the ever perceptive Zam pointed out that, "you and my mom have the same [jean] jacket, but her's doesn't have a flower." He also politely said, "thank you," when I complimented his coloring of the big JC. Maybe because I'm an introvert, I like the introverted kids the best.
I whipped up some Glazed Zesty Cranberry Orange Scones this morning and sent half of them with Adam to work. Someone exclaimed, "these are the best scones ever." Awww...he just might be my favorite, if not for his super adorable introverted son Zam. On Easter, the ever perceptive Zam pointed out that, "you and my mom have the same [jean] jacket, but her's doesn't have a flower." He also politely said, "thank you," when I complimented his coloring of the big JC. Maybe because I'm an introvert, I like the introverted kids the best.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Bridesmaidnia!!!
I may have mentioned that Laurel and Alex aka Cad Cowboy are getting married in October in California, my favorite west coast state. Even better than them being happy ever after, I get to be a bridesmaid and what beats being a bridesmaid...receiving a bridesmaid care package from the awesome bride filled with homemade goodies. I'm really looking forward to the wedding festivities.
I may have mentioned that Laurel and Alex aka Cad Cowboy are getting married in October in California, my favorite west coast state. Even better than them being happy ever after, I get to be a bridesmaid and what beats being a bridesmaid...receiving a bridesmaid care package from the awesome bride filled with homemade goodies. I'm really looking forward to the wedding festivities.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
plasticann's [reduced fat and sugar] Rice Krispy Treats
Laurel can confirm, but I used to be all about the rice krispy treats in high school mostly because they're incredibly easy to make. Over time, I discovered that the treats tasted better with less butter and fewer marshmallows and are much easier to handle given the reduced stickiness so I started to cut down on the two ingredients gradually until I found the breakeven point. The original recipe calls for 4 Tbs butter [half a stick] and 40 large marshmallows. Here's my modified lower fat and lower sugar version. You'll thank me on the reduced stickiness quotient alone.
Ingredients:
25-27 Marshmallows
3 Tbs Butter
5 cups Rice Krispy cereal
1/4 cup peanut butter [optional]
Recipe:
1. Measure 5 cups of cereal in a large mixing bowl.
2. microwave 1 minute on high, butter, marshmallows and PB in a second large microwave safe bowl.
3. Stir marshmallow mixture incorporating all the ingredients together.
4. Microwave marshmallow mixture for another minute on high.
5. Mix marshmallow mixture with cereal until all the cereal is coated with the marshmallow mixture.
6. Scrape the coated cereal into a 9x13 pan packing down the mixture with a spatula.
7. Repeat recipe for batch 2 and press that batch over the first for a nice and solid 2 batch pan of treats.
8. Cut into square and enjoy.
Laurel can confirm, but I used to be all about the rice krispy treats in high school mostly because they're incredibly easy to make. Over time, I discovered that the treats tasted better with less butter and fewer marshmallows and are much easier to handle given the reduced stickiness so I started to cut down on the two ingredients gradually until I found the breakeven point. The original recipe calls for 4 Tbs butter [half a stick] and 40 large marshmallows. Here's my modified lower fat and lower sugar version. You'll thank me on the reduced stickiness quotient alone.
Ingredients:
25-27 Marshmallows
3 Tbs Butter
5 cups Rice Krispy cereal
1/4 cup peanut butter [optional]
Recipe:
1. Measure 5 cups of cereal in a large mixing bowl.
2. microwave 1 minute on high, butter, marshmallows and PB in a second large microwave safe bowl.
3. Stir marshmallow mixture incorporating all the ingredients together.
4. Microwave marshmallow mixture for another minute on high.
5. Mix marshmallow mixture with cereal until all the cereal is coated with the marshmallow mixture.
6. Scrape the coated cereal into a 9x13 pan packing down the mixture with a spatula.
7. Repeat recipe for batch 2 and press that batch over the first for a nice and solid 2 batch pan of treats.
8. Cut into square and enjoy.
Monday, April 24, 2006
In honor of Steve's Birthday
Ben & Jerry's is having Free Cone Day tomorrow. The following is a reconstructed conversation with MGDub.
plasticann: It's Wheezy's birthday on Friday.
MGDub: I know, I wish I were in Boston for it.
plasticann: Oh and it's Steve's birthday on Tuesday.
MGDub: That's cool! [switching gears] You tell Steve that he should update his blog. In fact, on his birthday as his gift to all of us, he should update his blog. In fact, you can quote me.
So I did...Steve...please update your blog...it's been too long. Oh yeah and Happy Birthday!
Ben & Jerry's is having Free Cone Day tomorrow. The following is a reconstructed conversation with MGDub.
plasticann: It's Wheezy's birthday on Friday.
MGDub: I know, I wish I were in Boston for it.
plasticann: Oh and it's Steve's birthday on Tuesday.
MGDub: That's cool! [switching gears] You tell Steve that he should update his blog. In fact, on his birthday as his gift to all of us, he should update his blog. In fact, you can quote me.
So I did...Steve...please update your blog...it's been too long. Oh yeah and Happy Birthday!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Donutmania
Keith, Kate, Adam and I hit the mom & pop donut circuit this weekend methodically eating our way around Boston. Our adventure started in Medford at Donuts With A Difference, by far our favorite. Other then an unfortunate encounter with sour milk, all the judged loved their Gracie Bar, a delicious cinnamon raisin bar reminiscent of a giant churro. Next we tried Lori Ann's in Charlestown, but alas, it'd been replaced by a bar. Fighting discouragement and a sugar low, we (mostly Keith) persisted by driving through the Big Dig on to South Boston where we checked out Doughboy Donuts. Doughboy was a donut/pizza shop so I ended up getting a slice of pepperoni pizza along with the donuts. Our last stop was Mike's Donuts in Jamaica Plain where the owner was so excited that we'd traveled from afar [across the river] to check out her donuts that she comped us a Boston Creme donut.
Keith, Kate, Adam and I hit the mom & pop donut circuit this weekend methodically eating our way around Boston. Our adventure started in Medford at Donuts With A Difference, by far our favorite. Other then an unfortunate encounter with sour milk, all the judged loved their Gracie Bar, a delicious cinnamon raisin bar reminiscent of a giant churro. Next we tried Lori Ann's in Charlestown, but alas, it'd been replaced by a bar. Fighting discouragement and a sugar low, we (mostly Keith) persisted by driving through the Big Dig on to South Boston where we checked out Doughboy Donuts. Doughboy was a donut/pizza shop so I ended up getting a slice of pepperoni pizza along with the donuts. Our last stop was Mike's Donuts in Jamaica Plain where the owner was so excited that we'd traveled from afar [across the river] to check out her donuts that she comped us a Boston Creme donut.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Swimming
I went swimming for the first time in years yesterday and boy was I tired afterwards. I didn't think it was possibly, but my pinkies were actually sore from swimming. I went back today and my pinkies are no longer sore so woohoo! I'm debating whether to shell out $15 for a locker seeing how I have about a month of school left. Then again, it's like 50 cents a day and if it means I'll actually go swimming, maybe it's worth it afterall. I'm getting one next year. Even if I don't exercise, I could store snacks or drinks or something in my locker.
I went swimming for the first time in years yesterday and boy was I tired afterwards. I didn't think it was possibly, but my pinkies were actually sore from swimming. I went back today and my pinkies are no longer sore so woohoo! I'm debating whether to shell out $15 for a locker seeing how I have about a month of school left. Then again, it's like 50 cents a day and if it means I'll actually go swimming, maybe it's worth it afterall. I'm getting one next year. Even if I don't exercise, I could store snacks or drinks or something in my locker.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Easter Potluck
Adam and I managed to fit 27 people in our apartment for Easter dinner. We originally planned to move our couches into our bedroom to make room for the folding tables/chairs we'd borrowed from church. Unfortunately, we discovered that we couldn't get the couches through the door an hour before our party. We finally had to suck it up and improvise by using the couches as seating. The following is our menu of potluck items. Adam made a ginger snap bourbon glazed ham and I baked up some of the desserts.
Pigs in a blanket
Mozzerella Sticks
Crudite
7 layer dip
Ginger Snap Bourbon Glazed Ham
Rice Casserole
Mac & Cheese
Octopus Balls (delicious by the way)
Black Bean Basil salad
Green Salad
Jambalaya
Roasted Potatoes
Cake shaped like a Lamb (no Lamb in it)
Lemony Cheesecake
Carrot Cake
Pecan Tassies
Coconut Macaroons
Oranges in Lime Syrup
Peppermint/Andes Mint Brownies
Hot Cross Buns
Lemon Coconut Pie
Adam and I managed to fit 27 people in our apartment for Easter dinner. We originally planned to move our couches into our bedroom to make room for the folding tables/chairs we'd borrowed from church. Unfortunately, we discovered that we couldn't get the couches through the door an hour before our party. We finally had to suck it up and improvise by using the couches as seating. The following is our menu of potluck items. Adam made a ginger snap bourbon glazed ham and I baked up some of the desserts.
Pigs in a blanket
Mozzerella Sticks
Crudite
7 layer dip
Ginger Snap Bourbon Glazed Ham
Rice Casserole
Mac & Cheese
Octopus Balls (delicious by the way)
Black Bean Basil salad
Green Salad
Jambalaya
Roasted Potatoes
Cake shaped like a Lamb (no Lamb in it)
Lemony Cheesecake
Carrot Cake
Pecan Tassies
Coconut Macaroons
Oranges in Lime Syrup
Peppermint/Andes Mint Brownies
Hot Cross Buns
Lemon Coconut Pie
Monday, April 17, 2006
Happy Easter
Adam and I woke up on Easter morning eager to celebrate by breaking our lenten fasts. Adam's was TV and mine was coffee. The following is a reconstructed conversation.
Adam: You know what we could do before church?
plasticann: Drink coffee and watch TV?
Adam: Guess again.
plasticann: Drink coffee?
Adam: Not quite, you were closer the first time.
plasticann: Watch TV?
Adam: What kind of TV?
plasticann: Closer?
Adam: No, the other one.
plasticann: Monk?
Adam: Yeah...now what can we do while we watch Monk?
plasticann: Eat pancakes?
Adam: We could do that, but what else?
plasticann: Eat TV and watch coffee?
Adam: No! Watch Monk and...
plasticann: Watch Monk and drink coffee.
Adam: Sort of, I was trying to get you to say, "drink coffee and watch Monk," but it was taking way too long.
plasticann: Isn't that what I said?
Adam: Not in the order I was hoping for, first coffee then say Monk.
Drink coffee and watch Monk we did, but only after a pointlessly protracted conversation.
Adam and I woke up on Easter morning eager to celebrate by breaking our lenten fasts. Adam's was TV and mine was coffee. The following is a reconstructed conversation.
Adam: You know what we could do before church?
plasticann: Drink coffee and watch TV?
Adam: Guess again.
plasticann: Drink coffee?
Adam: Not quite, you were closer the first time.
plasticann: Watch TV?
Adam: What kind of TV?
plasticann: Closer?
Adam: No, the other one.
plasticann: Monk?
Adam: Yeah...now what can we do while we watch Monk?
plasticann: Eat pancakes?
Adam: We could do that, but what else?
plasticann: Eat TV and watch coffee?
Adam: No! Watch Monk and...
plasticann: Watch Monk and drink coffee.
Adam: Sort of, I was trying to get you to say, "drink coffee and watch Monk," but it was taking way too long.
plasticann: Isn't that what I said?
Adam: Not in the order I was hoping for, first coffee then say Monk.
Drink coffee and watch Monk we did, but only after a pointlessly protracted conversation.
Friday, April 14, 2006
"Spouse"
Mission Accomplished! We finished our paperwork this morning and I mailed in our taxes after one final trip to HR Block. The following is a reconstructed conversation between plasticann and the Tax Lady.
plasticann: So, does it matter who signs under "Your signature" and who signs under "Spouse's signature?"
Tax Lady: Yes, it does matter. Adam signs first and then you sign under "spouse."
plasticann: Why do I have to be the "spouse." [Harumph!]
Tax Lady: [shrugs] In fact, the taxes get filed under Adam's social security number.
There you go, I'm now a "spouse." I think there used to be some benefits to being the "spouse." In the past, if Adam had hypothetically evaded taxes, they'd usually go easier on the "spouse," but these days I don't even think there's that consideration. I'm not complaining too much, Adam did go over our tax return with a fine tooth comb. plasticmom would have been proud of his persistance, but I do wish they would have Person 1 and 2, but then we'd have the same problem...who gets to be "1" and who gets to be "2." For the record, I wouldn't mind being "2."
Mission Accomplished! We finished our paperwork this morning and I mailed in our taxes after one final trip to HR Block. The following is a reconstructed conversation between plasticann and the Tax Lady.
plasticann: So, does it matter who signs under "Your signature" and who signs under "Spouse's signature?"
Tax Lady: Yes, it does matter. Adam signs first and then you sign under "spouse."
plasticann: Why do I have to be the "spouse." [Harumph!]
Tax Lady: [shrugs] In fact, the taxes get filed under Adam's social security number.
There you go, I'm now a "spouse." I think there used to be some benefits to being the "spouse." In the past, if Adam had hypothetically evaded taxes, they'd usually go easier on the "spouse," but these days I don't even think there's that consideration. I'm not complaining too much, Adam did go over our tax return with a fine tooth comb. plasticmom would have been proud of his persistance, but I do wish they would have Person 1 and 2, but then we'd have the same problem...who gets to be "1" and who gets to be "2." For the record, I wouldn't mind being "2."
Organizized
The following is a reconstructed conversation with Steve when he stopped by to study statistics last weekend. I insisted on giving him a tour of my organizized closets.
plasticann: Steve, you have to come see our closets, let me show you.
Steve: This is what you did over spring break?
plasticann: Yep...isn't it great? I even labeled Adam's drawers.
Steve: [Reading the drawers] "T-Shirts" "Socks"
plasticann: Yeah, Adam doesn't really like that I labeled his drawers. He says it makes him look retarded like he doesn't know where his socks are.
Steve: It's not like you wrote "L" and "R" on his hands.
plasticann: That's hilarious. Remember how Joey on Friends didn't know right from left?
Steve: It's sometimes confusing because you don't know which right someone's referring to. Their right or my right. Maybe I should label my hands one day as a joke.
The following is a reconstructed conversation with Steve when he stopped by to study statistics last weekend. I insisted on giving him a tour of my organizized closets.
plasticann: Steve, you have to come see our closets, let me show you.
Steve: This is what you did over spring break?
plasticann: Yep...isn't it great? I even labeled Adam's drawers.
Steve: [Reading the drawers] "T-Shirts" "Socks"
plasticann: Yeah, Adam doesn't really like that I labeled his drawers. He says it makes him look retarded like he doesn't know where his socks are.
Steve: It's not like you wrote "L" and "R" on his hands.
plasticann: That's hilarious. Remember how Joey on Friends didn't know right from left?
Steve: It's sometimes confusing because you don't know which right someone's referring to. Their right or my right. Maybe I should label my hands one day as a joke.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Cheesy Potatoes
I'm being a bit lazy today watching Food Network while I study because I just had a midterm this morning. I have mixed feelings about Sandra Lee because it freaks me out that she's always "matchy match" on her show with her "tablescapes" and all. I noticed that the dishes displayed in her kitchen matched her outfit today which seems a bit excessive. Alas, I digress. She made these Cheesy Potatoes that were basically tator tots baked with cheese and bacon on top...they looked really good. I'm going to make them one of these days.
I'm being a bit lazy today watching Food Network while I study because I just had a midterm this morning. I have mixed feelings about Sandra Lee because it freaks me out that she's always "matchy match" on her show with her "tablescapes" and all. I noticed that the dishes displayed in her kitchen matched her outfit today which seems a bit excessive. Alas, I digress. She made these Cheesy Potatoes that were basically tator tots baked with cheese and bacon on top...they looked really good. I'm going to make them one of these days.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Makeover
nytimes.com recently got a new look and while it's much easier to navigate and read, I do have one complaint. I used to be able to claim that I read several sections of the nytimes.com: Home & Garden, Dining & Wine, Weddings & Celebrations and Fashion & Style. Now that all four categories are a subset of the overal "Style" section I can no longer claim to have a wider breadth than I have.
nytimes.com recently got a new look and while it's much easier to navigate and read, I do have one complaint. I used to be able to claim that I read several sections of the nytimes.com: Home & Garden, Dining & Wine, Weddings & Celebrations and Fashion & Style. Now that all four categories are a subset of the overal "Style" section I can no longer claim to have a wider breadth than I have.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Seattle Bound
The following is a reconstructed conversation between me and my friend Kathleen on a busy downtown street.
Kathleen: So, do you know what you're going to be doing this summer?
plasticann: Actually, yes. I'm working for Amazon.com in Seattle.
Kathleen: [looking excited] Yeah! What are you doing there?
plasticann: Product management [Kathleen looks even more excited] in the home/kitchen group [Kathleen is bursting with joy].
Kathleen: That's so awesome, that's perfect.
plasticann: Yeah, I'm really excited.
[Kathleen and plasticann spontaneously high five in the middle of a busy sidewalk]
There you have it, the breaking news is Adam and I are heading out to Seattle for the summer, but we'll be back in good old New England just in time for the nonexistent fall.
The following is a reconstructed conversation between me and my friend Kathleen on a busy downtown street.
Kathleen: So, do you know what you're going to be doing this summer?
plasticann: Actually, yes. I'm working for Amazon.com in Seattle.
Kathleen: [looking excited] Yeah! What are you doing there?
plasticann: Product management [Kathleen looks even more excited] in the home/kitchen group [Kathleen is bursting with joy].
Kathleen: That's so awesome, that's perfect.
plasticann: Yeah, I'm really excited.
[Kathleen and plasticann spontaneously high five in the middle of a busy sidewalk]
There you have it, the breaking news is Adam and I are heading out to Seattle for the summer, but we'll be back in good old New England just in time for the nonexistent fall.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Ranch Quakes
In the past, I've been allergic to the idea of "healthy snack alternatives." Your baked lays, your olestra and especially your chalky dry rice cakes. I finally tried rice cakes again because someone had these chedder Quaker Quake Rice Snacks. I was surprised, they were quite good. I would choose to eat them as my first choice, not just as an alternative to something unhealthy. I recently tried the Ranch Rice Snacks and I really like them. I even thought to myself one day, "Gosh, I hope Adam doesn't eat my rice snacks, I'm really looking forward to eating them."
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Deicing
The following is a reconstructed conversation from my strategy team meeting about the salt industry.
plasticann: So, we're talking about salt, table salt, road salt, etc.
Friend: Yup, dont' forget about the environmental concerns about deicing.
plasticann: Right, let me write that down....De-icing...I get it.
Friend: Get what?
plasticann: I didn't know what "deicing" was. I thought it was pronounced "dicing" or "deecing" which seemed really weird. Now it get it, it's de-icing salt not deecing or dicing salt.
Apparently, deicing salt is huge because everyone wants to drive real fast on the roads even in the winter, but the salt causes freshwater pollution. Who knew? That's why we should all move to California where the weather is nice and we can drive as fast as we want without the salt. Then, we can systematically kill off the environment of each state piecemeal starting with the warmest states. First, California, then Florida...you get the picture.
The following is a reconstructed conversation from my strategy team meeting about the salt industry.
plasticann: So, we're talking about salt, table salt, road salt, etc.
Friend: Yup, dont' forget about the environmental concerns about deicing.
plasticann: Right, let me write that down....De-icing...I get it.
Friend: Get what?
plasticann: I didn't know what "deicing" was. I thought it was pronounced "dicing" or "deecing" which seemed really weird. Now it get it, it's de-icing salt not deecing or dicing salt.
Apparently, deicing salt is huge because everyone wants to drive real fast on the roads even in the winter, but the salt causes freshwater pollution. Who knew? That's why we should all move to California where the weather is nice and we can drive as fast as we want without the salt. Then, we can systematically kill off the environment of each state piecemeal starting with the warmest states. First, California, then Florida...you get the picture.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Kate Is Fun...ny
Adam and I went over to Keith and Kate's for a gourmet meal last weekend. Ginger lemon salmon, delicious salad, sweet potato slices and for dessert, cream puffs dipped in a homemade chocolate sauce. Kate agreed to share her recipe on her new blog, kateisfun.blogspot.com, and she even named the sauce in my honor. Yup...from now on, it'll be Queen Plasticann the First to you all.
Queen Ann's Sauce
(from kateisfun.blogspot.com)
1/2 bag chocolate chips
1 stick butter
1 c. 1/2 n 1/2
1 c. powdered sugar
dash vanilla
ts. salt (or more, to taste)
dash Frangelica liquor
melt butter and chocloate
add rest of stuff, go slow with the powdered sugar. Bring to a low boil for a minute or two, but be careful not to overdue it or else you may get candy. Not that I've done this or anything, I've just heard about OTHER people doing it...
Adam and I went over to Keith and Kate's for a gourmet meal last weekend. Ginger lemon salmon, delicious salad, sweet potato slices and for dessert, cream puffs dipped in a homemade chocolate sauce. Kate agreed to share her recipe on her new blog, kateisfun.blogspot.com, and she even named the sauce in my honor. Yup...from now on, it'll be Queen Plasticann the First to you all.
Queen Ann's Sauce
(from kateisfun.blogspot.com)
1/2 bag chocolate chips
1 stick butter
1 c. 1/2 n 1/2
1 c. powdered sugar
dash vanilla
ts. salt (or more, to taste)
dash Frangelica liquor
melt butter and chocloate
add rest of stuff, go slow with the powdered sugar. Bring to a low boil for a minute or two, but be careful not to overdue it or else you may get candy. Not that I've done this or anything, I've just heard about OTHER people doing it...
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Nocturnal Sandwiches
Adam and I were running a bit late last night as we headed to the movies so we split up, Adam went in to save us some good seats and I went to Chinatown to procure some Vietnamese sandwiches for dinner. Little did I know, Vietnamese sandwiches are hard to come by on a Friday evening. I checked out three different places hoping to grab some portable food. I considered buying a rice/meat dish, but I wisely rejected that idea...eating rice in a dark theater just seems like a messy proposition. We ended up with random hot dog buns and sticky rice rolls from the only bakery I could find. Needless to say, I was starving and cranky by the time the movie let out. Fortunately, Anna's is open until 11:30pm so I had my three tacos and a lovely pineapple soda. Lesson learned, Vietnamese sandwiches have an early bedtime.
Adam and I were running a bit late last night as we headed to the movies so we split up, Adam went in to save us some good seats and I went to Chinatown to procure some Vietnamese sandwiches for dinner. Little did I know, Vietnamese sandwiches are hard to come by on a Friday evening. I checked out three different places hoping to grab some portable food. I considered buying a rice/meat dish, but I wisely rejected that idea...eating rice in a dark theater just seems like a messy proposition. We ended up with random hot dog buns and sticky rice rolls from the only bakery I could find. Needless to say, I was starving and cranky by the time the movie let out. Fortunately, Anna's is open until 11:30pm so I had my three tacos and a lovely pineapple soda. Lesson learned, Vietnamese sandwiches have an early bedtime.
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