plasticmom in Cambridge
If you think you see plasticmom tooling around Cambridge this summer, no need to get your vision checked. plasticmom is taking summer classes at Harvard and living in our apartment. Even plasticmom had to admit that our apartment was squeaky clean as it should of given that we hired a cleaning person. If you see plasticmom taking the 77 or hanging out in Harvard Square, be sure to say "Howdy."
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Chatty
I've noticed that folks here in Seattle are "chattier," even the homeless are much more apt to strike up a random conversation. The following is a reconstructed conversation between plasticann and a random homeless person (HP) with a sign while plasticann was trying to cross the street after church.
HP: Hey, you're supposed to press the button to cross the street!
plasticann: [walks around the pole looking for the button]
HP: No, over there, that button.
plasticann: {gratefully presses button]
HP: ...are you from the Philippines?
plasticann: No!
HP: Japanese?
plasticann: No! [decides to avoid this conversation of pan-Asian country naming] My parents are from Taiwan!
HP: Oh, Taiwan! Welcome to America!
plasticann: Thanks???
Ironically, while I appreciated his help with the button, I didn't really feel particularly welcomed, but at least he tried. Since Adam is in CA visiting his family, he wasn't with me this morning. I wonder if HP would have "welcomed" me had I been with Adam or if he would have assumed that I'd already been properly welcomed to America.
I've noticed that folks here in Seattle are "chattier," even the homeless are much more apt to strike up a random conversation. The following is a reconstructed conversation between plasticann and a random homeless person (HP) with a sign while plasticann was trying to cross the street after church.
HP: Hey, you're supposed to press the button to cross the street!
plasticann: [walks around the pole looking for the button]
HP: No, over there, that button.
plasticann: {gratefully presses button]
HP: ...are you from the Philippines?
plasticann: No!
HP: Japanese?
plasticann: No! [decides to avoid this conversation of pan-Asian country naming] My parents are from Taiwan!
HP: Oh, Taiwan! Welcome to America!
plasticann: Thanks???
Ironically, while I appreciated his help with the button, I didn't really feel particularly welcomed, but at least he tried. Since Adam is in CA visiting his family, he wasn't with me this morning. I wonder if HP would have "welcomed" me had I been with Adam or if he would have assumed that I'd already been properly welcomed to America.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Wheezy In Seattle
I'm not actually feeling wheezy, but Wheezy's in town this week for vacation on her inaugural west coast tour. She stopped by San Francisco to see Greg & Helen, come into Seattle for a clandestine visit on our anniversary, took the train to Vancouver and came back to Seattle for a proper visit. Last night, we feasted on platters of cheap ($5.50 a dish) and very delicious Thai food at Mae Phim where we sipped ginormous glasses of Thai iced tea that were only a buck a piece. Tonight, we walked walked over to Pagliacci Pizza. Because I was famished, I spent most of the latter part of our walk over plotting about what I would order...pizza, root beer and an appetizer to snack on before my real dinner came. Turns out, the place offers slices cafeteria style which means immediate gratification. While I was extremely excited at the prospect of food fast, I was disoriented since I was expecting to wait. The food was delicious and the sodas were bottomless, Wheezy had three diet cokes. She takes off for ye olde Boston tomorrow night on the red eye, but we have time for one more culinary adventure, we're heading over to Wild Ginger for a farewell dinner.
I'm not actually feeling wheezy, but Wheezy's in town this week for vacation on her inaugural west coast tour. She stopped by San Francisco to see Greg & Helen, come into Seattle for a clandestine visit on our anniversary, took the train to Vancouver and came back to Seattle for a proper visit. Last night, we feasted on platters of cheap ($5.50 a dish) and very delicious Thai food at Mae Phim where we sipped ginormous glasses of Thai iced tea that were only a buck a piece. Tonight, we walked walked over to Pagliacci Pizza. Because I was famished, I spent most of the latter part of our walk over plotting about what I would order...pizza, root beer and an appetizer to snack on before my real dinner came. Turns out, the place offers slices cafeteria style which means immediate gratification. While I was extremely excited at the prospect of food fast, I was disoriented since I was expecting to wait. The food was delicious and the sodas were bottomless, Wheezy had three diet cokes. She takes off for ye olde Boston tomorrow night on the red eye, but we have time for one more culinary adventure, we're heading over to Wild Ginger for a farewell dinner.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Happy Anniversary To Us
Adam and I celebrated our anniversary this evening at the Melting Pot Fondue restaurant courtesy of plasticmom. "Thanks Mom!" we exclaimed. We enjoyed the "Big Night Out" four course meal which included, cheese fondue, a strawberry almond salad, a variety of meats/veggies/etc and finally a coconut chocolate fondue. The cheese fondue was by far our favorite and while we did eat everything else and overindulge, we could have stopped with just the cheese. Anything dipped with chocolate is sure to be tasty, but we were disappointed with the lackluster chocolate sauce consistency...we were hoping for something thicker. However, we're now determined to finally break out the lovely electric fondue pot Corinna got us for our wedding.
Adam and I celebrated our anniversary this evening at the Melting Pot Fondue restaurant courtesy of plasticmom. "Thanks Mom!" we exclaimed. We enjoyed the "Big Night Out" four course meal which included, cheese fondue, a strawberry almond salad, a variety of meats/veggies/etc and finally a coconut chocolate fondue. The cheese fondue was by far our favorite and while we did eat everything else and overindulge, we could have stopped with just the cheese. Anything dipped with chocolate is sure to be tasty, but we were disappointed with the lackluster chocolate sauce consistency...we were hoping for something thicker. However, we're now determined to finally break out the lovely electric fondue pot Corinna got us for our wedding.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Dispatches From Tesserific
Our niece, Tesserific, has become so obsessed with pink and soccer, she declared, "I want to be a pink soccer player" a few weeks ago. Zara also tells me that Tesserific is quite attached to her Nalgene Sippy Bottle [not coincidentally pink] as "Aunt Ann's Sippy Cup." Sort of implies that I, myself, am a sippy cup user, but that's beside the point.
Our niece, Tesserific, has become so obsessed with pink and soccer, she declared, "I want to be a pink soccer player" a few weeks ago. Zara also tells me that Tesserific is quite attached to her Nalgene Sippy Bottle [not coincidentally pink] as "Aunt Ann's Sippy Cup." Sort of implies that I, myself, am a sippy cup user, but that's beside the point.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Watermelon Feta Salad
We've been here for a week and we've eaten a lot here in Seattle. One thing for sure is I haven't been blogging so I'm trying to get back in the swing of things with our latest dinner. I was intrigued by this watermelon feta salad recipe I saw in a magazine so we tried it out tonight, Just combine seedless watermelon chunks with crumbled feta cheese, you don't need a lot. Season with freshly ground pepper and kosher salt. It's pretty refreshing and I think it'll become a summertime staple.
We've been here for a week and we've eaten a lot here in Seattle. One thing for sure is I haven't been blogging so I'm trying to get back in the swing of things with our latest dinner. I was intrigued by this watermelon feta salad recipe I saw in a magazine so we tried it out tonight, Just combine seedless watermelon chunks with crumbled feta cheese, you don't need a lot. Season with freshly ground pepper and kosher salt. It's pretty refreshing and I think it'll become a summertime staple.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Seattle: Day 1
We got into Seattle yesterday afternoon and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Wild Ginger. The following reconstructed conversation/scenario happened while we stopped by Walgreens after dinner for some provisions.
Walgreens Lady: [to the man in front of plasticann] Would you like to try our M&M special? Two for a dollar?
Man in Front: No thanks!
Walgreens Lady: [to plasticann] Would you like to try our M&M special?
plasticann: NOPE!
Walgreens Lady: OK, that'll be eight dollars.
Adam: [as plasticann is about to pay] Actually, yes I would like some M&Ms. These are the special M&Ms.
Walgreens: Yes, they're Pirates of the Caribbean M&Ms.
Adam: I saw an ad for these white chocolate M&Ms and I've been meaning to buy them since they're limited edition!
plasticann: [amused, but shakes her head]
Walking out of Walgreens, we encounter a trio of punks hanging out on the street corner. Punks as in kids who loaf on street corners with nothing to do but cause trouble, not punks as in fans of the musical genre.
Punks: [to Adam] Hey, can I have some M&Ms.
Adam: [eating M&Ms] No!
Punks: blah blah blah...open toed sandals...thirty years old and you're wearing open toed sandals.
Adam: [Keeps walking in his Tevas without responding]
Punks: I wouldn't be caught wearing open toed sandals.
plasticann: [around the corner] Oh my goodness, what just happened? What was that about?
Adam: I don't know, I guess open toed sandals are unfashionable, but people in Boston wear them.
plastican: Did they make a crack about how you'd never find a girl since you wear open toed sandals?
Adam: I thought they did, but I'm not sure.
plasticann: I would have defended you and said something.
Adam: I thought about responding, but I also thought getting into an altercation on our first night in Seattle wouldn't be good.
plasticann: That's funny! I wonder how they knew you were thirty?
Adam: I was wondering that myself.
If that exchange had happened three days later, we totally could have said, "Hah, you clearly don't know what you're talking about, he's thirty-one not thirty so there you go." I was wearing my Keen sport sandals or what Adam likes to call my "orthopedic shoes." I would like to point out that I, however, was not the one who was mocked by teenage boys loafing on a street corner.
We got into Seattle yesterday afternoon and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Wild Ginger. The following reconstructed conversation/scenario happened while we stopped by Walgreens after dinner for some provisions.
Walgreens Lady: [to the man in front of plasticann] Would you like to try our M&M special? Two for a dollar?
Man in Front: No thanks!
Walgreens Lady: [to plasticann] Would you like to try our M&M special?
plasticann: NOPE!
Walgreens Lady: OK, that'll be eight dollars.
Adam: [as plasticann is about to pay] Actually, yes I would like some M&Ms. These are the special M&Ms.
Walgreens: Yes, they're Pirates of the Caribbean M&Ms.
Adam: I saw an ad for these white chocolate M&Ms and I've been meaning to buy them since they're limited edition!
plasticann: [amused, but shakes her head]
Walking out of Walgreens, we encounter a trio of punks hanging out on the street corner. Punks as in kids who loaf on street corners with nothing to do but cause trouble, not punks as in fans of the musical genre.
Punks: [to Adam] Hey, can I have some M&Ms.
Adam: [eating M&Ms] No!
Punks: blah blah blah...open toed sandals...thirty years old and you're wearing open toed sandals.
Adam: [Keeps walking in his Tevas without responding]
Punks: I wouldn't be caught wearing open toed sandals.
plasticann: [around the corner] Oh my goodness, what just happened? What was that about?
Adam: I don't know, I guess open toed sandals are unfashionable, but people in Boston wear them.
plastican: Did they make a crack about how you'd never find a girl since you wear open toed sandals?
Adam: I thought they did, but I'm not sure.
plasticann: I would have defended you and said something.
Adam: I thought about responding, but I also thought getting into an altercation on our first night in Seattle wouldn't be good.
plasticann: That's funny! I wonder how they knew you were thirty?
Adam: I was wondering that myself.
If that exchange had happened three days later, we totally could have said, "Hah, you clearly don't know what you're talking about, he's thirty-one not thirty so there you go." I was wearing my Keen sport sandals or what Adam likes to call my "orthopedic shoes." I would like to point out that I, however, was not the one who was mocked by teenage boys loafing on a street corner.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Slush Puppies
Steve: I walked into Davis to get a slush puppy at Store 24 and it's gone.
plasticann: What?
Steve: It's gone.
plasticann: Store 24 disappeared? When did that happen? What replaced it?
Steve: No, the slush puppy machine is gone.
plasticann: Is the store still there?
Steve: Yes, but no slush puppy machine.
plasticann: Oh, thank goodness! Why don't you go to 7-11 to get a slushy there?
Steve: I walked into Davis to get a slush puppy, I don't want to walk home and get in my car and fight traffic to go to 7-11.
plasticann: Why don't you get some Italian Ice.
Steve: Where?
plasticann: At that convenience store next to the park on Holland, I see kids coming out of there all the time with their blue/yellow Italian ice.
Steve: I guess I could venture down there.
plasticann: You'll have to let me know how it is.
Steve: OK! Later!
I felt kinda bad for Steve's loss, but I'm way happier that the Store 24 is still around. If Slush Puppy machine had to go so Store 24 could stay, I'd have to go with Store 24. I told plasticmom she could get her t-pass there this summer and I was really panicked when I initially misunderstood Steve.
Steve: I walked into Davis to get a slush puppy at Store 24 and it's gone.
plasticann: What?
Steve: It's gone.
plasticann: Store 24 disappeared? When did that happen? What replaced it?
Steve: No, the slush puppy machine is gone.
plasticann: Is the store still there?
Steve: Yes, but no slush puppy machine.
plasticann: Oh, thank goodness! Why don't you go to 7-11 to get a slushy there?
Steve: I walked into Davis to get a slush puppy, I don't want to walk home and get in my car and fight traffic to go to 7-11.
plasticann: Why don't you get some Italian Ice.
Steve: Where?
plasticann: At that convenience store next to the park on Holland, I see kids coming out of there all the time with their blue/yellow Italian ice.
Steve: I guess I could venture down there.
plasticann: You'll have to let me know how it is.
Steve: OK! Later!
I felt kinda bad for Steve's loss, but I'm way happier that the Store 24 is still around. If Slush Puppy machine had to go so Store 24 could stay, I'd have to go with Store 24. I told plasticmom she could get her t-pass there this summer and I was really panicked when I initially misunderstood Steve.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
"MGDub is coming to town!"
I finished my last final this morning and boy oh boy was my hand cramped after writing for three hours. I celebrated with a bacon/blue cheese burger and coke with my classmates at the Tavern in Central Square, wandered down Mass Ave to Harvard Square where I read chick lit novels at the coop for free. I sampled the peppermint stick ice cream at the new Lizzy's Ice Cream store in Harvard Square and walked over to Porter for some groceries. The ice cream was disappointing. The peppermint stick was really peppermint pellets and the ice cream had a weird curdled consistency that I didn't enjoy. I ended up throwing out half of my cone...I decided the ice cream was not calorie worthy.
I finished my last final this morning and boy oh boy was my hand cramped after writing for three hours. I celebrated with a bacon/blue cheese burger and coke with my classmates at the Tavern in Central Square, wandered down Mass Ave to Harvard Square where I read chick lit novels at the coop for free. I sampled the peppermint stick ice cream at the new Lizzy's Ice Cream store in Harvard Square and walked over to Porter for some groceries. The ice cream was disappointing. The peppermint stick was really peppermint pellets and the ice cream had a weird curdled consistency that I didn't enjoy. I ended up throwing out half of my cone...I decided the ice cream was not calorie worthy.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Even More Darned Good Chocolate Cake With A Dash Of Nuttiness
I added some almond extract to this chocolate cake from Cake Doctor and it was mighty tasty.
1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix with Pudding
4 Eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup warm water
1 cup sour cream
1-2 teaspoons almond extract (optional)
1.5 cup chocolate chips
Heat Oven to 350
Mix all ingredients (except chocolate chips) on slow for one minute and then on medium for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in chocolate chips
Pour batter into bundt pan (oil and flour the pan before)
Bake for 45-50 minutes
I added some almond extract to this chocolate cake from Cake Doctor and it was mighty tasty.
1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix with Pudding
4 Eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup warm water
1 cup sour cream
1-2 teaspoons almond extract (optional)
1.5 cup chocolate chips
Heat Oven to 350
Mix all ingredients (except chocolate chips) on slow for one minute and then on medium for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in chocolate chips
Pour batter into bundt pan (oil and flour the pan before)
Bake for 45-50 minutes
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Falafel
I was out to dinner last week with my roommates at Cafe Barada when the following reconstructed conversation occurred between plasticann and the server.
Server: Do you ladies want any dessert tonight?
plasticann: Yes, I would like a piece of falafel for dessert.
Server: [staring blankly] Falafel?
plasticann: Yup, one piece to go.
Carin: ...do you mean Baklava?
plasticann: Baklava? Yes, a piece of Baklava to go. What did I say?
Carin: Falafel!
plasticann: [mighty embarrassed] Oh now, that makes no sense, I meant Baklava.
I was out to dinner last week with my roommates at Cafe Barada when the following reconstructed conversation occurred between plasticann and the server.
Server: Do you ladies want any dessert tonight?
plasticann: Yes, I would like a piece of falafel for dessert.
Server: [staring blankly] Falafel?
plasticann: Yup, one piece to go.
Carin: ...do you mean Baklava?
plasticann: Baklava? Yes, a piece of Baklava to go. What did I say?
Carin: Falafel!
plasticann: [mighty embarrassed] Oh now, that makes no sense, I meant Baklava.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Bouncy Castles
Year end school celebrations abound even as finals are looming and Friday was no exception. A Texas themed BBQ chowdown for the entire family. Steve and I were eager to take advantage of the last free lunch of the year that we've technically paid for through our tution. I was starving so I ate quite a bit of everything and after lunch Steve suggested checking out the kid's activities, namely the bouncy castle. They made us sign a waiver before we could bounce in the castle and that should have tipped us off. The castle was really quite fun for about a minute. Then, I felt nauseous from bouncing on a full stomach and smelling the icky dank water from the floor that soaked my socks. I had to carry my smelly wet socks all the way home which was really wet and unpleasant. At least Steve had had a beer so he had some semblence of an excuse. I, on the otherhand, should have known better than to sign a waiver in order bounce in a wet smelly castle after lunch.
Year end school celebrations abound even as finals are looming and Friday was no exception. A Texas themed BBQ chowdown for the entire family. Steve and I were eager to take advantage of the last free lunch of the year that we've technically paid for through our tution. I was starving so I ate quite a bit of everything and after lunch Steve suggested checking out the kid's activities, namely the bouncy castle. They made us sign a waiver before we could bounce in the castle and that should have tipped us off. The castle was really quite fun for about a minute. Then, I felt nauseous from bouncing on a full stomach and smelling the icky dank water from the floor that soaked my socks. I had to carry my smelly wet socks all the way home which was really wet and unpleasant. At least Steve had had a beer so he had some semblence of an excuse. I, on the otherhand, should have known better than to sign a waiver in order bounce in a wet smelly castle after lunch.
Baffling
I'm very fortunate that Adam is quite domestic, even more domestic than I am. He cooks more, cleans more and he's just an all around better person to live with than I am. I tend to leave my shoes lying around, neglect washing my baking dishes and I'm often tempted not to refill the toilet paper when I'm lazy and I end up setting a fresh roll on the counter. The toilet paper thing is truely unkind and infuriating so I try not to do that since Adam is a very nice husband and deserves better. The following reconstructed conversation illustrates one strange, but recurring dynamic...Adam not being able to find stuff.
Adam: Where's the soy sauce?
plasticann: In the fridge! [about to yell, "it's on the lower shelf in the door"]
Adam: It's not there, I looked.
plasticann: [frantically trying to remember why it's not in the fridge] Um...I don't know. I'm coming!
plasticann: [plasticann opens the fridge and the soy sauce is in the door on the lower shelf] Uh-hem!
Adam: [turning around] What!
plasticann: The soy sauce! [pointing at the shelf]
Adam: Where?
plasticann: It's right here in the door.
Adam: I looked in there twice, but I didn't see it.
plasticann: [baffled]
My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Chin, used to tell these amusing stories about how her husband couldn't find anything. He'd look in a closet and say, "I don't see it," and it would be right in his face. Things aren't looking good in this area, but now that we've established where the soy sauce resides, I think it'll get much better.
I'm very fortunate that Adam is quite domestic, even more domestic than I am. He cooks more, cleans more and he's just an all around better person to live with than I am. I tend to leave my shoes lying around, neglect washing my baking dishes and I'm often tempted not to refill the toilet paper when I'm lazy and I end up setting a fresh roll on the counter. The toilet paper thing is truely unkind and infuriating so I try not to do that since Adam is a very nice husband and deserves better. The following reconstructed conversation illustrates one strange, but recurring dynamic...Adam not being able to find stuff.
Adam: Where's the soy sauce?
plasticann: In the fridge! [about to yell, "it's on the lower shelf in the door"]
Adam: It's not there, I looked.
plasticann: [frantically trying to remember why it's not in the fridge] Um...I don't know. I'm coming!
plasticann: [plasticann opens the fridge and the soy sauce is in the door on the lower shelf] Uh-hem!
Adam: [turning around] What!
plasticann: The soy sauce! [pointing at the shelf]
Adam: Where?
plasticann: It's right here in the door.
Adam: I looked in there twice, but I didn't see it.
plasticann: [baffled]
My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Chin, used to tell these amusing stories about how her husband couldn't find anything. He'd look in a closet and say, "I don't see it," and it would be right in his face. Things aren't looking good in this area, but now that we've established where the soy sauce resides, I think it'll get much better.
Friday, May 19, 2006
"Visas"
The following is a reconstructed e-mail conversation between plasticann and plasticmom
plasticmom: I got a letter from Harvard asking whether I was still planning to take the summer class since I hadn't applied for an I-20 Visa or paid my tuition so I paid the tuition today. I wonder if that's why I haven't received any information about my class?
plasticann: [being cute] Maybe you need a visa to travel to the East Coast?
plasticmom: [being even cuter] Yes, I do need a visa for the East coast since I can't carry around a suitcase of cash in order to live in the Republic of New England.
Took me a minute there to get plasticmom's little joke.
The following is a reconstructed e-mail conversation between plasticann and plasticmom
plasticmom: I got a letter from Harvard asking whether I was still planning to take the summer class since I hadn't applied for an I-20 Visa or paid my tuition so I paid the tuition today. I wonder if that's why I haven't received any information about my class?
plasticann: [being cute] Maybe you need a visa to travel to the East Coast?
plasticmom: [being even cuter] Yes, I do need a visa for the East coast since I can't carry around a suitcase of cash in order to live in the Republic of New England.
Took me a minute there to get plasticmom's little joke.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Reconstructed Reconstructed Conversation
The ever fabulous MGDub was grilling her [not so] little cousins [the boys] about the latest in orthodontia last weekend.
MGDub: So, is there anything you guys don't eat?
the boys: We eat everything.
MGDub: What about gum?
the boys: Yeah we chew gum.
MGDub: Hmmm...
the boys' mom: Why are you asking them. They do everything wrong.
The ever fabulous MGDub was grilling her [not so] little cousins [the boys] about the latest in orthodontia last weekend.
MGDub: So, is there anything you guys don't eat?
the boys: We eat everything.
MGDub: What about gum?
the boys: Yeah we chew gum.
MGDub: Hmmm...
the boys' mom: Why are you asking them. They do everything wrong.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Mayan Chocolate
Of course I had to run out and buy the new Haagen Daaz Mayan Chocolate Ice Cream right after I saw a print ad in Martha Stewart Living last week. Ben & Jerry's was on sale this week and I wondered whether I should wait to try the full priced Haagen Daaz when it goes on sale, but I decided to be wasteful and buy the Haagen Daaz full price. It's delicious by the way, cinnamon and chocolate.
Of course I had to run out and buy the new Haagen Daaz Mayan Chocolate Ice Cream right after I saw a print ad in Martha Stewart Living last week. Ben & Jerry's was on sale this week and I wondered whether I should wait to try the full priced Haagen Daaz when it goes on sale, but I decided to be wasteful and buy the Haagen Daaz full price. It's delicious by the way, cinnamon and chocolate.
Monday, May 15, 2006
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.
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.
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