"LOVE"

Excerpted from an e-mail from Zara.

A few days ago, I put a wedding picture of you two in Zess's album
and said "This is Uncle Adam & Aunt plasticann". She said (and I quote) "I
love them!" !

How can we possibly feed hyperactivity inducing finger JELLO to Little Zess who loves us. I'm racked with guilt.

Totally NOT Loaded

The following is a reconstructed conversation between plasticann, Zhor and a classmate [Mr.Z] about one of our other classmates, let's call him Mr.Loaded, at BIT.

Mr.Z: Oh yeah, Mr.Loaded is totally loaded.
plasticann: ...How do you know?
Mr.Z: His clothes, the kind if car he drives....
plasticann: He has a car? I don't have a car. Do you have a car?
Zhor: Yeah, you have a T-pass.
plasticann: Gosh and I thought I was living the life by upgrading to a Combo pass. Now I can ride the bus, not just the subway.

6. Uglydoll



I think they're endearing, but Adam's not a fan of the uglydoll...he likes prettydolls.

Shaping up to be a bad influence

Mama and Papa Z were in town for Thanksgiving from sunny NoCal. We enjoyed lots of desserts [lemon cake, apple cake, cheesecake, Beard Papas], food [all the fixin's], games [Bohnanza] and even a movie [RENT]. We heard lots of cute stories about precocious "Little Zess," who is no longer "Baby Zess" now that she's been supplanted by "Baby Zames." Granted she's two, Zess, apparently, does not know about "candy." She had a ball trick-or-treating this year, but was none the wiser when her loot mysteriously disappeared. There's also something fishy going on about TV, but our main takaway was no gifts of candy for Zess this Christmas. We don't think there's a party line on "JELLO," but before I forget, booze or cigarettes are also offlimits, child endangerment or something.

5. Time Tags



Maker of some of my favorite cool finds, Vessel has created a wearable speck of a digital clock called the Time Tag. Reviewers on Amazon do warn users to remember to remove the time tag before laundry time. This reminds me of a recent "discussion" Adam and I had about our household laundry protocol. I was unaware that pockets of clothes in the basket should be checked before washing, I've always assumed pockets have already been emptied prior to clothes landing in the basket. This miscommunication about laundry procedures meant I found a squishy lump in a pocket post washing and was afraid the lump would be something gross like a banana peel [not that Adam leaves bananas in his pockets]. It was a close call, but the suspicious squishy lump turned out to be a packet of Kleenex. Whew!

Way Meta

Steve & Co. went to Magnolia's for Zang's b-day. The following is a reconstructed conversation by way of Steve at Magnolia's

George: You know that plasticann blogged about Magnolia's
Steve: Really, what did they order?
George: They ordered three dishes for four people.

I'm impressed with George's memory of inane details and honored that he does read this blog afterall. Happy Birthday Zang!

Beard Papa Take 2

I was feeling footloose and fancy free on Wednesday so I went down to Government Center and snagged a box of Cream Puffs for Adam's office, 9 vanilla and 3 Belgian chocolate. The cream puffs went pretty fast, but not fast enough in my opinion. I tried the chocolate and I think the vanilla is still the best. The following is a reconstructed conversation/situation about a married couple, Andrew and Val:

Location: The office where the cream puffs are.
Adam: Hey Andrew, did you get one of these cream puffs?
Andrew: No, I'm glad I stopped in again before I left.
[few minutes later...Andrew comes dashing back into the office]
Andrew: I have to get another one of these for Val.
Adam: Oh, is this one for her?
Andrew: No, it's for me, she's eating my cream puff.

On the flip side, the following is a conversation recontructed using details from Andrew and Val.

Location: Andrew and Val are in their car pulling out of the parking lot heading home.
Andrew: Val, this cream puff is really good, you wan't a bite?
Val: [polishing off the cream puff] this is really good.
Andrew: [pulling out of the parking lot] I'm going to get another one.
Val: But, we're on our way home.
Andrew: Let's pull around the corner and I'll run in the front door.

Andrew drives around the corner and sprints in for yet another cream puff. See first conversation for details. The End!

The Zakuns Take Manhattan

Adam and I stayed with MGDub this weekend and we had a blast. I'm already missing MGDub, but it sounds like she's learning lots of cool stuff in film school. MGDub was a lovely host generously feeding us tea and english muffins, but Adam and I learned early on in our visit that some items were "off limits." These food items, mini cartons of orange juice, were "imported" from Allentown and supposed "unavailable" in NYC so they had to be "rationed." The following is a reconstructed conversation about MGDub's mini OJs.

plasticann: Have you checked if D'agostino's has the mini OJs? We've walked by two of them in the last few minutes.
MGDub: No! The mini OJs are no where to be found. They don't even have the plastic jugs of OJ, they only have cartons.
plasticann: Well, you've only been to two stores in your neighborhood, surely somewhere someone has mini OJs and OJ jugs. Hey, there's a D'agostino's across the street.
MGDub: Should we go in and check?
Adam: Yeah! Let's do it.
...wandering around inside the stores...
MGDub: See, no OJ anywhere.
Adam: Maybe over here. Look, they have jugs of OJ and mini OJs.
MGDub: I can't believe it.
plasticann: [laughing]
Adam: Let's see what else they have here, maybe we can get MGDub those breakfast bars she claims don't exist in NYC.
...in the breakfast bar aisle...
MGDub: See, they only have the Apple Cinnamon and I don't like those.
Adam: Well, this label says they carry strawberry, they just ran out so you should check back.
MGDub: It's too far from my apartment, it has to be 3 blocks away for me to check back.
...later in the evening...
MGDub: I still can't believe they actually sell mini OJs.

Note: Because I blogged about the mini OJs, I've been warned ahead of time that MGDub will be telling an embarrassing story about me.

Igloos

A reconstructed of an incredibly insightful class discussion debunking cultural misperceptions. The innocent are somewhat protected.

Zhor: Well, a cultural myth about Alaska is that we live in igloos. No one lives in an igloo.
Zheng: Don't penguins in cartoons live in igloos?
Zielo: Penguins can't build igloos, that's silly.
Zhor: No, penguins do not live in igloos. No one lives in igloos, it's just not true.
Zheng: Penguins don't live in igloos???

Thanks to Zhor, I'm aware of the cultural taboos of Alaska and I know never to mention igloos and penguins to an Alaskan.

4. What Zess won't be getting for X-mas



Since we already got her one of these cute retro tricycles for her birthday, I can put this tricycle on my list. Zara reports that Zess is a bit too small for her tricycle, her feet don't touch the pedals, but she enjoys sitting on the tricycle. Grandpop Zakun plans on modifying her tricycle with some blocks so she can pedal around the house.

3. Where is Coco Going?



Unlike Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same [BWBSS], this one's actually appropriate for kids. For the sassy adults, stick with BWBSS, it's a classic.

2. Going For The Bronze



The Sequel to BWBSS...enough said.

That time of the year will quickly be upon us...

...holiday gift giving. I was all out of ideas last year because two years ago, I counted down 100 gift ideas on this blog. This year, I'm aiming low by counting up so we'll start with idea number 1 and see how far this goes. Now that I'm a MBA student "busy concocting ways to further contribute to society's ills and bolstering capitalism," I do not promise that gifts will make the list only after this year's recipients have received that particular gift. Simply put, I have purchased zero gifts and I don't have a solid plan of action this year. Gift cards to the grocery store may be a distinct possibility. I'm sure Little Zess and Baby Zames would love the a gift card to their local grocery store. Afterall, babies need to drink milk and organic is pretty pricey. On the upside, I'll post photos of gift ideas thanks to the technological improvements. [drumroll please]

1. The Cubes



Kinda like a "dollhouse," introduce your child to reality with their own cubicle.

Random Musings About Social Behavior

I was sitting on a bench at school yesterday when I spotted a plastic folding table across the way. I dragged it over to the bench and two of us used it as a desk. Soon, a third joined our official looking laptop row. As we tapped away at our respective computers, countless classmates started to stop by and ask, "Are you signing people up for an activity?" It reminded me of a chilly winter night when MGDub and I got locked out of her car in Harvard Square after seeing The Hours. We had to huddle in one of the parking lot attendant booths to avoid the frigid weather as we waited for the locksmith to come. Sure enough, people started stopping buy to pay us for their parking. Years ago, plasticmom and I were in Japan waiting in line for a afternoon tea buffet. We were early so we just stood around outside the entrance. Twenty minutes later, we noticed a neat line had formed right behind us, upt the stairs, around the corner and down the hall. The orderly behavior was very impressive.

Pumpkin Muffins

The following is a reconstructed conversation on Halloween.

Alarm Clock: [Brrrring!]
plasticann: Adam? You know what I want to make? Pumpkin Muffins!
Adam: Have you made pumpkin muffins before?
plasticann: Years ago. We have a can of pumpkin filling.
Adam: Okay!
plasticann: YEAH!!!! [leaps out of bed and runs to the kitchen]

Thus, chocolate chip pumpkin muffins in honor of Halloween. One of my teammates ate two in a row...now that's an endorsement. Then again, he might have been super hungry.

Odd Todd Strikes Again

Watching the Odd Todd segment from America's Test Kitchen reminded me of how MGDub and I often enjoyed affecting Odd Todd's peculiar speech by gratuitously referring to "fudge striped cook-ays" and "coff-ay." For a man who's "unemployed," Odd Todd has really built quite the empire. When he published his Odd Todd book a few years ago, I questioned just how unemployed Odd Todd really was. Now that he has a gig talking about food science in flash animation on America's Test Kitchen, I'm really beginning to doubt the authenticity of his job situation. He seems rather entrepreneurial and driven for a guy who walks around in a bathrobe eating "cook-ays" and drinking "coff-ay."

Making Do

When it comes to certain things, Adam and I fall in the "make do" category of people. For example, we kicked around the box containing our new lamp for two months before we got around to installing it. The box was too big for our closets so for months, we would move this lightweight, but cumbersome box from our bedroom to the living room and back again, several times a week. Next up, the lovely king sized comforter plasticmom graciously sent us. It's been sitting in the corner of our room for months. The problem was, we didn't have a comforter cover and we were paralyzed with indecision about what to buy. Motivated by the drop in temperature, I finally ordered something on Garnet Hill without consulting Adam. I felt my executive decision was justifiable since it was 70% off and wicked cheap. Adam may feel otherwise. Now that we finally have a lovely lamp in our living room and a nice flannel comforter, we'll be ready for winter.

Pastel Yellow Terry Cloth Tracksuits

Having been back in school for over six weeks, I've noticed that many of the professors love using chalk, but they all wear dark colors so they end up with chalk dust all over their clothes by the end of the lecture. If I were a professor, I'd wear pastel yellow terry cloth tracksuits to work so the yellow chalk dust would be camouflaged. On the other hand, I might end up vibing a horrid version of hip hop fashion that would be utterly inappropriate for academia. Worse yet...I'd look like a big piece of yellow chalk.

Caramel Apple Ice Cream

It's that time of the year again...Caramel Apple Ice Cream at J.P. Licks. I stopped by the Davis Square location on my way home last night to buy Adam a treat and to check out their latest offerings. I immediately upgraded from a small to an entire pint when I saw the elusive Caramel Apple on the board. Blink and you might miss the Caramel Apple because it comes only in the fall and only for one weekend. Adam was so excited about the ice cream, he immediately called Dave to alert him about Caramel Apple time at J.P. Licks.

Midterms...not that funny

Well, I've been away for a while because of midterms. I've tried to think of something funny or interesting to blog about during midterms and I've discovered that midterms just aren't all that funny. The situation has been dire, here are some stats:

Days since I last blogged: 7
Days since I last baked anything: 9
Days since last grocery run: 9
Days without milk: 4
Days since my last shower: [fortunately] 0

The good news is...I'm living it up this weekend. I'm finally going to make that lemon cake...if only we had some milk.

Ye Olde 27

We went out for a fun birthday dinner courtesy of plasticmom last Sunday. Oleana's with Kristen, Dave, Adam and Wheezy made for a good time. The desserts were amazing. I hoarded most of my Baked Alaska treat, but I did share with Dave. I tried all the other desserts we ordered for the table, but I ultimately returned to methodically consuming my Baked Alaska. A chewy coconut macaroon disk topped by a dense mound of coconut ice cream topped with a delicious meringue...what more could a girl want. The food really good too, everything from the pre-appetizers to the entrees. However, the winner of our gourmet outing was Wheezy who ordered the vegetarian tasting menu. All of us meat eaters were salivating over Wheezy's dinner peppering her with questions like, "does it taste good" "what's in it" and of course, "can I try some?" Wheezy was basking in the well deserved culinary limelight. It almost makes up for the other 90% of the time when her vegetarian option consists of piles of veggies or a large salad.

Calorie Commando

The following is a reconstructed monologue:

Adam: I Tivoed a breakfast episode of "Calorie Commando" on Food Network. I thought they would show me how to make really fatty and caloric corned beef hash, but then I realized the show was about cutting calories, not adding more calories.

Happy Birthday Plasticann

In honor of my birthday, plasticmom celebrated by eating a cake 3000 miles away from me. The following is a reconstructed e-mail from plasticmom.

plasticann,

We ate the birthday cake. The pictures will prove it.

plasticmom

BEFORE


AFTER

New Additions

Last week, Zara gave birth to baby number two making Zryce a proud papa twice and Zess a big sis. Zames Zarry Zakun Zakin looks pretty cute, but the verdict is out [in my book] whether he dethrones Zess in overall cuteness.

Creamy Polenta with Sauteed Mushrooms

I baked up some Sour Cream Coffeecake from Everyday Food this weekend when I noticed a recipe for polenta in same issue so I cooked up som Creamy Polenta with Sauteed Mushrooms to boot. I've always been a bit wary of "polenta" because the name reminded me of gross and nasty things, but I gave the recipe a whirl and the results were pretty darned tasty. Serves three, meal sized portions.

Polenta:
4 cups water
1.5 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons of chopped basil

1. Bring to boil the water + salt + pepper. med high heat.
2. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal in a constant stream. Whisk continuously.
3. Lower heat to med low to thicken, stirring occasionally. 10-15 minutes
4. Remove from heat, stir in cheese, butter and basil.

Sauteed Mushrooms:
1 carton 10oz mushrooms sliced
2 small tomatoes chopped
1/4 cup chopped basil

1. Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil
2. Saute mushrooms for 5 minutes or until tender and yummy looking
3. Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes and basil.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Top Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms.

Getting out of Boston

Here is a third person reconstructed conversation between Steve and his MIT career counselor.

plasticann's reconstruction of Steve's reconstructed conversation.

Steve: Yeah, I've been in Boston my whole life. I could get excited about getting out of Boston.
CC: That's great. What do you think about LA, Disney's in LA.
Steve: They've got earthquakes
CC: You know, Home Depot is in Atlanta.
Steve: Yeah...I don't want to be in Atlanta.
CC: How about Florida?
Steve: It's too hot and there are too many old people.
CC:...You're funny!

"You're funny" is for when they don't know what to make of you and when you're "funny."

plasticann's analysis of Steve's reconstruction of his conversation.


plasticann: Well, you do want to get out of Boston, as long as its, NYC, Chicago or the Bay Area.
Steve: How'd you know?