Still stuck in Istanbul
I can answer the question about how much we know (or knew) about the Iraq trip: nothing.
One or two people travelling in the pool will have known, but they kept it admirably quiet.
But at least Air Force One works: our press plane is still stuck so we may now be in the Ritz forever. The part ordered from London never showed up.
By the way I agree with those who have written in praise of Istanbul - it is a fabulous place.
The Blue Mosque at dusk was glorious: I went to stand outside for the Six O'Clock News and felt most privileged to be there.
UPDATE: Final word on the travel issue - we are stuck and some members of the press have been moved by the White House to alternative accomodation (still rather fancy, I think) but - and this really does bring home to you the way the bubble works - some cannot get cabs because they have no money!
Give the drivers dollars, I suggest, or change some money, but no: they have no cash at all!
They have come on a tour of 50 nations (give or take) with no money! That is travelling with the White House...
In the end, buses are brought so that they do not have to worry.
Hello, I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~47~RS~)
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Justin:
Still stuck in Istanbul I am sorry that your were not invited to the trip to Iraq, by President Obama......
~Dennis Junior~
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Justin:
I can answer the question about how much we know (or knew) about the Iraq trip: nothing. I also, concur that more than a few people knew about the trip before the last stop in Turkey....
~Dennis Junior~
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Sorry to hear that you've gotten stuck in Instanbul. I hope that you're safe. I must say that I was impressed by the Presidents speach yesterday. Sadly, it seems that much of the Islamic world has believed that the US was at war with them. US Foriegn Policy hasn't helped that impression. I believe that America needs to open a dialouge with Islamic Countries and foster good relations. That's the way to defeat terrorists.
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Stuck in Istanbul? You could always take the Orient Express to Paris and fly back to the USA. It's less than $10,000 which I feel sure the BBC could afford - and you could do a programme about it and all the countries through which you would travel. A win-win solution!
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Justin - thanks for specifically answering my question. Really appreciate it.
Do the press get told nothing?!
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3, American.
"Sorry to hear that you've gotten stuck in Instanbul. I hope that you're safe."
Don't feel sorry for Justin. If you are going to be stranded in Istanbul consider it a bit of luck. As to safety, the only threats are the very aggressive tourist touts who are hard to shake.
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Perhaps the Orient Express was not such a good idea, as the "Next" button reveals "Unfortunately the following page was not available:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2009/04/no_cash_handy.html"
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"They have come on a tour of 50 nations (give or take) with no money! That is travelling with the White House.."
ensures "good" journalism, I suppose.
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so what type of plane is it. un reliable old thing with a rubber band in the engine they are not telling you about.
;)
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Justin,
You must be bored to post so many threads. Can't you just find a bar?
Helpful Sam
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In case you get home sick, you can get familiar food here:
Mcdonald's Restaurant A.S.
Buyukdere Cad. Ozsezen Ishani A Blok 120 / 9 Zincirlikuyu
Istanbul, Istanbul TR
Bon Apetite
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Maybe they wanted to ditch the press corps and there is nothing wrong with the airplane.
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Sam, this number of new threads suggests that Justin has found a bar.
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13, seaspa.
Justin, ask your bartender for arak. When in Istanbul....
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This is a test.
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Sam - you'll recall that you mentioned lifestyle and your appearance, well, this one’s for you. Don't let it happen too soon or you'll end up like the our Governor (the very last shot) - but be patient, it runs a couple of minutes.
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16, David.
Don't you think extreme body builders like your governor look freaky? Women with breast implants are in the same category. Yeew!
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#13, seanspa, a bar with internet. I suppose that they also
serve Turkish coffee to sober up the patrons.
I leave for just a moment to earn a pittance, and immediately
Justin goes on a Turkish odyssey and leaves all of the good parts
out. At least he had money.
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#17. allmymarbles: "Don't you think extreme body builders like your governor look freaky?"
Indeed, many of them do, but the Governator looked OK in his very young days. The classic bodies of the Steve Reeves type are much more aesthetic in my opinion - however, there are a lot of young men who actually want to be freaky. They forget that as the years roll on, the body changes, sometimes quite radically. Youth of course does not consider the future - if it did, none of them would have such large tattoos and in the oddest of places. Women too - think how that will look forty years later!
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"some [of the press] cannot get cabs because they have no money!
Give the drivers dollars, I suggest, or change some money, but no: they have no cash at all!
They have come on a tour of 50 nations (give or take) with no money! That is travelling with the White House..."
Now, at last, I know why American reporters travelling with the White House always seem to report from in front of backdrops or blue screens instead of being out in the street in front of the real thing. They don't have any money for the taxi or a bus to get there. Weird. I'm pretty sure they have 'holes in the wall' ' in Istanbul. And bureaux de change. And banks.
No wonder they don't seem to get out much and why they often seem so lamentably unaware of the country they are reporting from. Which explains, I suppose, why AmericanSportFan wrote: "Sorry to hear that you've gotten stuck in Instanbul. I hope that you're safe." Justin will be safer than wandering about on foot in Washington, by all accounts. I wouldn't mind being stuck in Istanbul. Paris, Texas, probably not.
(I've done press trips, too, but not as exalted as this. It's always surprised me how so many journalists are so timid abroad and never stray further than the hotel shop and the official bus. I always managed to wander off, though often the only time you get chance to do it is in the early hours of the morning.)
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
12. At 00:04am on 08 Apr 2009, allmymarbles wrote:
Maybe they wanted to ditch the press corps and there is nothing wrong with the airplane.
Maybe they did. Nobody has explained so far why a plane can't fly without a motor in the captain's seat. How long does it take to borrow another plane, anyway, these days? They're in Istanbul, not the middle of the Kalahari. Like Happy, I think the rubber band broke, and because of the 'Buy American' clause it has to come from the States.
I have this image of a planeload of reporters piling out onto the runway, pointing at a vanishing Air Force One yelling 'Follow that plane!". They are so unadventurous, these days, aren't they?
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#22 British-ish,
"How long does it take to borrow another plane, anyway, these days?"
Justin could always steal one and then be pursued by F-16's for several hours......
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Lot worse places to be stuck. Just don't miss hagia sophia, topkapi and Justinian's cistern and please avoid the McD there's plenty of good food.
You're all doing very well !!
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Sorry to hear that you're still stuck in Istanbul Justin...
But word out of the ether is that you guys seem 'happy' after being offered some fine wine (or did I hear food?)? Is that true? If that's the case, then you guys can have a splendid vacation before coming back home...
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Judging by the absence of new threads I think it is fair to assume he is heading home...with or without a new motor on the pilot's seat.
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The story has been reported by CNN. One of the more interesting comments is that
"The corps is made of up wide-eyed newbies, as well as whiners who have already traveled the world."
Since Justin is hardly a newbie, then that must make him . . . Surely not!
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Am I correct in saying that these journalists are not only insulted when asked to show a passport but travel with no money? Other than members of the Royal Family, and now we learn journalists, who would think such thoughts?
Are not the US taxpayers picking up the tab for this layover? And.... where is President Obama by the way? Do we know, as all the journalists who cover his every move are in Istanbul.
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LOL DC 27
22 British ish. we(my bro and I) sat on the runway at Heathrow once for hours as the flight to Sofia got wound up. Balkan air, ground crew were so drunk they kept letting go and holding on for a spin.
I suspect they are all on one of those inferior boings from Seattle.
All the electrical work done by them "certified" US electricians.
Young Mr Grace.
Topkarsi I got some good photos in there. even one of the sign saying "no Photos"
Clement of Alexandria likened a Byzantine church to an earthenware vessel with great treasure inside.
He was right.
Nice cisterns(made sort of famous in"from russia with love") would be a GREAT rave site.
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Thanks for posting this, Justin - This is one aspect of press trips that I never really stopped to think about.
I find it really fascinating that a group of "experienced" (or maybe not, as the CNN blurb says for some) travellers can be so insulated as to assume that they will have no need for any spending money or passports as they travel abroad, while being pampered at the same time. (What about souveniers for the family?) A bubble indeed...I hope you were wise enough to bring some money (have any of them ever heard of contingency plans?) Besides, for those adventurous enough with a desire to see Istanbul without any "news" happening, being stuck there can actually be a great opportunity.
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Rhody diver
I'm with you there.
I wonder if they checked to see if their visa's were up to date etc.
truly strange people this press.
Now I know there are the real journalists that make sure all is in order,. that get in touch with the embassy to check visa requirements and have never met anyone silly enough to think the little plastic card will work everywhere and believe the american express commercial.
Not the sort of press that know that if they pack all their equipment around the sides of the Bus they might make it through the gun fire alive to take a picture.
(as them crazy press people were doing when they went into Romania when the security forces were shooting up anything that moved.
Free press.
Hmmm
seems most things are free for them.
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The White House Press Corps pays its travel expenses. Here's a link to an article on the subject:
WashingtonTimes
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Fear not, Justin, your oriental ordeal is over.
Here comes your plane now.
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32 Gary_A_Hill
Thanks for the link. Makes the situation more understandable, having been on charter flights.
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bere54
Moving over from Iraq and in keeping with my post 34; dinner was superior to what is served on a chartered flight. Spicy chicken, curried rice and the old stand by broccoli. We eat a lot of broccoli! Fast, easy to cook, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese and there you go. I buy basmati rice and have upgraded the salt and pepper I use. Up until recently did not know there was a choice.
Not sure what the BBC will think of us turning this into a cooking blog!
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timewaits -
Just heard a report on the BBC radio about somebody who's invented a cardboard cooker. Apparently it's going to save the third world from starvation. Or at least enable them to boil water.
So what did you have for dinner?
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timewaits -
I see we crossed posts. Dinner sounds wonderful. Except for the chicken flesh of course! I use basmati rice also, and eat a lot of broccoli. I had a potato for dinner though. Low on food, must go to the store tomorrow.
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bere54
Your food bills must be really low. I'm still shopping and cooking for three and often four. Three of them being guys! They would think I had lost my mind if I tried to pass off one baked potato as dinner.
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time -
I really do try to stock food in the house when my kids come to visit. They do hate to get here and find the cupboards bare! A baked potato does not suffice for them.
But I usually spend less than $100 a month on groceries, and that includes stuff like cat litter and paper towels, all the non-food items. I pride myself on my frugality these days. Maybe I should just get one of those cardboard cookers.
Somali pirates still on the loose with the Vermont captain.
I read an interesting blog from a last week on how Canada is weathering the world-wide depression better than any other country because of its common sense. Congratulations!
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Oh dear, falling asleep. Will check in with the kitchen cohort tomorrow.
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I see we are still stuck on this topic. Goodnight.
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bere54
$100!! I'd be a wealthy woman if I could get away with that. I certainly have cut down, but I see I have a long way to go! The age old problem, when there is food in the house it gets eaten. Less food, more grumbling but it does cost less.
Canada is doing fairly well, considering. We will be pulled down by the US but part of our prosperity came from living next door, so we take the bad with the good. I have wondered for years how it is the Americans appear to have so much money. Back in the days when I watched Oprah everyone had "a lovely home" with two SUVs, fancy lawn furniture, and on and on..... How much money could those people possibly be making to afford all that? And how far are they in debt? We now know the answer. Like you we sold our house in 2005 thinking the bubble could not last much longer.
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Justin,
It is what it is! As you seem to be more prepared for the game of life with some $$ in your pocket. Enjoy your time and be on the look out for some unexpected lesson to share. Everything happens for a reason...
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$100 a month on food? I spent more than that in costco today. And that only on food that will be gone within a week. And then I went to a grocery store and spent more. And then I painted. And then I made fish pie. Then I fell asleep and have woken up in time to check what people have had for diner before I go to bed. That's living alright.
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My cats would have to go on diets to get down to $100 a month.
Somehow, I don't think that they'll do that for me, and they're
the bosses.
Of course, if I stopped eating...
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45. At 08:15am on 09 Apr 2009, gunsandreligion wrote:
My cats would have to go on diets to get down to $100 a month.
Somehow, I don't think that they'll do that for me, and they're
the bosses.
Of course, if I stopped eating...
That's been nagging me for ages. It doesn't seem very much, but now I've kind of worked out the dollar/pound exchange rate, I realise that quite often I don't spend that much more. On the other hand, I do live practically next door to a market, don't eat much in the way of joints of beef or legs of lamb, and I don't buy paper towels . . .
(Or spray-on cheese. I seem to have lost track of that after those funny little squares Ed splattered all over the blog, Is this where we're doing bikkies and sausages and sauces and things now? And why hasn't Justin posted about Turkish kebabs or Turkish coffee? What's he doing with all that spare time in Istanbul?)
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42. At 04:37am on 09 Apr 2009, timewaitsfornoman wrote:
"I have wondered for years how it is the Americans appear to have so much money. Back in the days when I watched Oprah everyone had "a lovely home" with two SUVs, fancy lawn furniture, and on and on..... "
I've always wondered how it is that in American films, everybody seems to have a wonderful -- expensive -- life style, but no-one seems to have to go out to work to earn a living to pay for it.
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35. At 03:24am on 09 Apr 2009, timewaitsfornoman wrote:
" I buy basmati rice and have upgraded the salt and pepper I use. Up until recently did not know there was a choice.
Not sure what the BBC will think of us turning this into a cooking blog!"
Sssh. They might not notice. Or maybe the mods are collecting ideas and recipes in the lull between posts. I see the Beeb has a little video on making Easter Eggs. Do you have chocolate Easter eggs over there?
(They also have one about a 'frozen pizza factory'. Is this because of the recession? I've heard of mothballed factories, but not frozen ones.)
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Cheer up, Justin.
We're all looking forward to your next book, "Webb in Turkey".
( You've probably written it on Turkish soil too. )
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Justin, have walked across the bridge yet? You can then say that you've walked from Europe to Asia! Not many can say that!
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48 british-ish
"Do you have chocolate Easter eggs over there?"
Good way to start the day, reading all these witty remarks. We should do this more often. Yes we have chocolate Easter eggs, the most popular made by the Laura Secord Co., she of the War of 1812 fame. Walked 20 miles (with or without a cow, under dispute) to warn the British the Americans were coming. We hide the eggs around the house and the children "hunt" for them Easter morning. The Easter bunny brings them.
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timewaits and seanspa -
You all are buying food for a lot of mouths. Remember, I shop for just me and the cat. The cat is a wee bit overweight (18.6 lbs at last weigh-in) and so is on a diet. I must tell you it is not much fun living with a dieting cat. He starts trying to pull the covers off me at around 6:00 a.m., convinced it's breakfast time. If I refuse to get up, he runs his claws through my hair. It's not much fun having your hair combed by a cat.
47, british-ish -
Also in the films, everyone finds a parking spot right where they need one. In cities. That's the most unbelievable thing of all. When I was a kid, I always wondered why no one on TV or in the movies ever had to go to the bathroom.
51, timewaits -
I don't believe in the cow. I don't think they like to walk that far. Besides, what would have been the point of taking a cow along?
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46 britishish.
I came to the states looking for cheap food so I could get all american around the waist. but found in the states it is quite expensive for the basics.
$4-5 for a loaf organic wholegrain bread. (and 600gm at that,not 800gm normal in UK.
I checked with sainsbury's on line a while (few months back) and it was still at 126 pence(no pound key here)
Apparently Oregon is high on prices for foods. has to be it is a poor state. only makes sense.
In the" grass seed capital of the world", we have no grains.
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seanspa -
What was that on the other thread about a cruise line? Maybe I'm dense, but I can't figure out why someone would mistake you for one.
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52. At 2:15pm on 09 Apr 2009, bere54 wrote:
Also in the films, everyone finds a parking spot right where they need one. In cities. That's the most unbelievable thing of all. When I was a kid, I always wondered why no one on TV or in the movies ever had to go to the bathroom.
And
1. Can always find matching socks
2. Never gets a wong number or a a cold call telling them they have won a free trip to the SOuth pacific.
3. Always have the right change when catching a cab (which are nearly always available.
In historical films it is always fascinating to learn that our ancestors always spoke portentously and to the point. They never burped, had to explain things three times (even if explaining peace treaties etc)
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fascinating comment Justin however the fact that there are now no Byzantine houses left in the city and the state of some of its monuments such as the former Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome site are frankly shameful.
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55, Simon -
And:
4. Women wake up in the morning with all their make-up on and their hair styled.
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52 bere54
"point of taking a cow along?"
As a foil when she passed through enemy (American) lines. The story being she was taking the cow... some place! I suppose that is why it is being disputed. Twenty miles is a long way to take a cow.
53 happylaze
That does sound like a lot for a loaf of bread. Must check our prices. Don't recall how many items I have said I will check, must think I live in a grocery store, which I don't. That is why I never get back with the answers.
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Another thing in films. People always know exactly when to turn on the tv to get the precise piece of news they want, and they know to turn it off before the news item ends.
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#54, bere, I was complaining about the raising of a particular subject, one that a certain poster on here (who is british, living in the US) also complains about. There the similarity ends. He complains about spelling - I do not.
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58, timewaits (and happylaze) -
One can easily pay $4-5 for a loaf of organic whole-grain bread here, at the health food store. Once I splurged on a loaf and it grew mold almost immediately. It must have been put in the plastic bag while still warm. Bakers should know better.
Our farmer's market will be appearing on Saturdays in a few weeks and while there won't be any produce to speak of (except lettuce) until the end of June, there's a family that bakes the most wonderful bread and sells it there. I treat myself to a loaf a week while it's available, and it's not in bags at all until you buy a loaf and they put it in a paper bag. They do a fantastic herb bread and so I overcome my issues with their being a fundamentalist Christian family!
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60, seanspa -
But you still don't explain why anyone would think you are a cruise line. Is there some meaning to "cruise line" other than ships that take a lot of fat, rich people around to little islands where they stare at the natives and make disparaging remarks about them?
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54 sounds like me but when you said spelling I thought Ahh that would be the grammar troll from florida right?
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#57 bere54
5. Cars in US always (always!) explode when shot at or get involved in a crash.
6. All the telephone numbers start with 555
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bere54 #61.
"They do a fantastic herb bread and so I overcome my issues with their being a fundamentalist Christian family!"
;-)
happylaze #53.
"$4-5 for a loaf organic wholegrain bread. (and 600gm at that,not 800gm normal in UK."
Stonebaked Boule, 400gm, 179p @ Waitrose. ;-(
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64 that's because they are american cars and they are not that great.;)
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Sean i would suggest mass complaints about the poster for being spam.
even I am fed up with answering the same question every day.
Maybe we should all respond with " are we there yet" or "can I" "please please please"
the BBC really should do something about someone who (unlike gherkin) has never commented on anything other than to try to get it down this path.
It is like arguing with a brick" and I can't be bothered.
I do get fed up with lies and blatant propaganda EVERY time.
BBC got rid of Xie ming for similar behaviour but has consistently allowed this troll to carry on.
Some editorial discretion would be appropriate.
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# 64 etc
This list has '40 Things that only happen in films' - it includes some that have been mentioned here
http://www.sausagenet.org/nph-YaBB.pl?action=print;num=1136044833
It refers inter alia to the fact that the good guys are always good shots and the bad guys are always terrible shots. I recall someone commenting when 'Cannon' was on TV that this particularly stretched credibility. [Cannon was, let us say, not anorexic, and quite hard to miss, one would have thought.]
I could also go into all the ways sex scenes on TV and in films are unrealistic, but I fear I'd be revealing more information about myself than I'd prefer to...
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64, Isenhorn -
7. The hero gets shot in the shoulder and immediately after being patched up is running about like nothing happened, or
8. Gets knocked on the head numerous times and never has so much as a concussion.
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61. At 3:15pm on 09 Apr 2009, bere54 wrote:
58, timewaits (and happylaze) -
One can easily pay $4-5 for a loaf of organic whole-grain bread here, at the health food store. Once I splurged on a loaf and it grew mold almost immediately. It must have been put in the plastic bag while still warm. Bakers should know better."
Are you stark staring mad. 4-5 dollars for a loaf of bread! what was it wrapped in gold foil?
Did you get shares in the bakery?
If someone even thought of charging me that price, I would call the police in order to prevent the fracas that would immediately result.
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47, british-ish, the well-known reason why traffic is so bad in LA
is that everybody is out of work and on their way to their next
audition.
69, bere54,
9. Whenever someone points a gun at someone, it is always from a foot
away, where the firearm could easily be taken away from him, but that
never happens.
10. Nobody has caller id, and it takes 10 minutes to trace a call.
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about the bread, you're all a bunch of whiners. No wonder we have
a "mental recession." Why can't you just eat cake like Cheney had
when he was in the White House.
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70 lol simon .
strange I though you might be right and went to check to see if maybe there was some bullion in the loaves but there isn't.
Other breads can be cheaper. "franz" a big supplier here is only $3.50 a loaf but their loaves last up to 9 months in a dark room without changing. and that is too suspicious for me.
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how about the bad guy is a brit and the black guy always puts up a brave fight and saves the day but dies heroically.
Can't they ever be the ones that don't die.
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70, Simon -
There's nothing I can do about the prices in the health food store except not shop there, and I usually don't. But high prices for specialty breads are not uncommon. I baked my own bread for years so know the ingredients aren't expensive. Anything organic around here costs way more, so for that reason I avoid the organic stuff. I figure I'm being poisoned everywhere I go and with everything I use, so why worry about it? I am certainly not going to pay $12 for a bottle of all-natural cleaning stuff when the normal stuff costs $3, and when the guy who owns the company that makes the ecologically-correct $12 product tried to build a several-million-dollar mansion in a wetlands area. First, he's a damned hypocrite, and second, if he can afford the mansion then the $12 is way more than the crap is worth.
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and, the bad guys used to all wear black hats,
but now they drive black Mercedes cars.
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71, gunsandreligion -
11. They jump into a car to chase the bad guys and the car shoots away from the curb immediately since apparently they don't have to put the key in the ignition, start the car, put it in gear, or put the seat belt on to keep it from shrieking at them as they chase.
12. All the foreigners speak English, even among their own countrymen.
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76, gunsandreligion -
Did you ever see that old TV show "The FBI"? It was the only thing I was allowed to watch on school nights, because my mother was in love with Efrem Zimbalist Jr. It was "brought" to us by Ford, so all the commercials were about Fords. But ALL the cars in the show were also Fords, even the ones driven by the bad guys. Nobody used the expression "product placement" back then, but it's definitely not a recent idea.
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#48 british-ish: "Do you have chocolate Easter eggs over there?"
Only small ones, not those big chocolate eggs filled with more chocolates as found in the UK. Lots of foil-covered Easter Bunnies. British stores carry some, but I've never seen an American version of the big chocolate eggs.
#62bere54: "Is there some meaning to "cruise line" other than ships that take a lot of fat, rich people around to little islands where they stare at the natives and make disparaging remarks about them?"
Most likely a reference to myself since the name also belongs to The Most Famous Ships In The World. But Cunard is not simply a "cruise line" - it is the only remaining line which crosses the Atlantic regularly. Passengers are not necessarily fat and rich, some are thin and rich, some are (relatively) poor and fat and others are just ordinary holiday-makers who get more bang for their buck. The best value in vacations that there is, islands or not.
As I recall, Seanspa is also British so there may be some confusion, although I'm not sure to whom Happylaze (#67) refers when he writes "i would suggest mass complaints about the poster for being spam. even I am fed up with answering the same question every day." Perhaps, like bere54, I too am being dense.
#52. bere54: "If I refuse to get up, he runs his claws through my hair. It's not much fun having your hair combed by a cat."
Simple solution - clips his claws - it's quite painless when done correctly. That way you will only feel furry feet in your hair.
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72 OK I'll try that. Can I have Ice cream on top for protein?
bere I hate seeing the "eco" living it up like it's the end of the world but the Ecover or other products that do reduce pollution and do help the planet , (comparatively prefer the Brit don't bother washing it I'm only going to get it dirty again;)) may make HIM money but do you know where the profits from J and J go to and if they build only on brown field sites.
Big picture there,
Though 12 bucks is way too high a price. here we can get "eco friendly" products for maybe only twice the price.
As to bread I get mine from the big store but the speciality breads re even more. It's not knocking you but people think that they get things cheap here and Brits think food is cheap in the US. I just showed that things can be deceiving.
Now CAKE. that is cheaper here. So I'm going to have some lovely "Sweet life" chocolate moose. for breakfast.
PS I'm trying a extra strong cheddar from Cabot today just to support your economy and to see if I was over critical yesterday.;)
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78, bere54, that's right, they were all Fords. And, before about 1966,
there were only rarely Afro-Americans on TV. I don't remember any on
Leave it to Beaver or Dobie Gillis.
After 1966, every show had to star a black guy, a young woman, and
a white guy. The Asians never made it into the top 3. That's why
Jackie Chan had to make his own movies.
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78 The brits use "dodgy" to mean suspicious.untrustworthy.
Did the bad guys drive Dodge s
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I think there is more mileage in little britain. If lou is happy, who are sebastian and bubbles?
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79, David -
I do clip his claws (and I have to sit on him to do it), but I wouldn't want to de-claw him. He doesn't actually scrape the scalp, but it's not a pleasant feeling. He also likes to smack me in the face, but with claws fully retracted. He never did these things before he was put on a diet.
80 - happylaze -
I do hope you enjoy the Cabot cheddar but fear it might not compete with the real Cheddar.
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bere54, there goes your food bill. Now, I am less tempted to cut back
my food budget.
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Justin, still there?? Some people have all the luck
I always seem to get waylaid for some reason or another and never get there.
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75. At 5:36pm on 09 Apr 2009, bere54 wrote:
There's nothing I can do about the prices in the health food store except not shop there, and I usually don't. But high prices for specialty breads are not uncommon. I baked my own bread for years so know the ingredients aren't expensive. Anything organic around here costs way more, so for that reason I avoid the organic stuff. I figure I'm being poisoned everywhere I go and with everything I use, so why worry about it?
I also bake my own bread, have for years using whatever best ingredients I can find locally. There is a small mill in the next county that produces unbleached flours that are good and fresh - but then I live in Kansas. I know what goes into my bread, and can make it as I like. Right now I am making 1 oz whole grain buns to suit with my new diet post heart surgery. What passes for an artizan bakery gets $5-8 for a 2 pound loaf locally - I can do as well or better. Cooking at home is the only way to have control - your ingredients could be coming from China unless you buy locally......
It is good to see that this group can amuse themselves in a constructive way when left to their own designs.
KScurmudgeon
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#80. happylaze: "As to bread I get mine from the big store."
You could try baking your own, even with one of those nifty machines. I don't know how the cost of a home-made loaf compares with one store-bought, but it would likely taste better. You'd have to slice it yourself, an art which has become almost forgotten.
#84. bere54 wrote: "I do clip his claws (and I have to sit on him to do it), but I wouldn't want to de-claw him."
I do agree with that last part, it always seems rather cruel when such easier measures can be taken. About Cheddar, there are some reasonably good American versions, but never as hard as the English and Irish - the later which is nearly always available in CostCo - and very good too!
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David, is that costco cheese called the dubliner (or something like that)? I've seen it but never tried it. I'll have to give it a go.
Urgent message to NoRash - the second word after "Irish" in David's post is misspelt. You may wish to point that out!
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88, David - "when such easier measures can be taken."
Hah! Cutting the nails of an 18-lb very strong uncooperative cat could be described in various terms but "easy" is not one of them!
We are not blessed with a Costco here. The nearest one is an hour and a half drive away. I've never shopped in a Costco; I meant to once when I was in the neighborhood but it was so big and so crowded that I was intimidated and slunk away. I need a guide and protector (usually one of my kids) to be able to handle stores like that. They're scary.
Our little grocery store has a bakery, and they always leave a few loaves of bread unsliced; those are the ones I buy. Sometimes I want a big fat slice for toast, sometimes thinner slices for sandwiches. I've never understood why slicing one's bread (that's what a bread knife is for, duh) is considered so difficult. I gave up baking my own bread when my children selfishly abandoned me to go off and have lives of their own; it's not so satisfying to do all that baking just for oneself (and the cat doesn't eat bread).
My daughter worries that I'm becoming a crazy cat lady, but I think you have to have more than one cat to qualify. Did you guys know there is a crazy cat lady action figure?
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bere, there is help available for your condition.
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91, seanspa -
Good grief, there's a society for everything, isn't there? But I was right - you really have to have more than one cat to qualify for the epithet.
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#90
Bere,
You could always share your other role as a Silk Spectre like fantasy figure for middle aged businessmen on the international interweb. That should change the conversation.
Deviant Sam
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45, guns.
"My cats would have to go on diets to get down to $100 a month. Somehow, I don't think that they'll do that for me, and they're the bosses."
I just figured out that my husband and I spend $180 a week on food, paper products, stuff like tooth paste and shampoo, and gasoline (but we con't do all that much driving). Most of what we buy is organic or top quality.We never buy prepared meals. I have no idea if this is expensive or not.
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93, Sam -
How did you know?
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#95
Personal experience.
Sam
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75. At 5:36pm on 09 Apr 2009, bere54 wrote:
70, Simon -
There's nothing I can do about the prices in the health food store except not shop there, and I usually don't. But high prices for specialty breads are not uncommon. I baked my own bread for years so know the ingredients aren't expensive. Anything organic around here costs way more, so for that reason I avoid the organic stuff. I figure I'm being poisoned everywhere I go and with everything I use, so why worry about it? I am certainly not going to pay $12 for a bottle of all-natural cleaning stuff when the normal stuff costs $3, and when the guy who owns the company that makes the ecologically-correct $12 product tried to build a several-million-dollar mansion in a wetlands area. First, he's a damned hypocrite, and second, if he can afford the mansion then the $12 is way more than the crap is worth."
Health food store? Yes well I would find paying that sort of price distinctly unhealthy. and I would ensure that the licensed bandit running the place did so as well.
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97, Simon -
What would you do, beat them up? I don't think I want to try that because I think I would find jail to be a very unhealthful environment. So instead I just don't buy the bread. Or much of anything else there. As I mentioned long ago on another thread, this is the place that jacked up the price of my favorite cookies to $5 a bag, so I'm really pissed at them. Cookies are way more important to a happy and healthy lifestyle than bread is and now I'm bereft of the cookies as well as the bread.
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So, we are still stuck in Istanbul.
To#98 Bere54
Cookies, as well as cake are an important part of the sugar food group. $5 for a bag of cookies seems a lot. How many cookies in each bag and are they totally excellent?
Good bread is so easy to make at home, I have always wondered why people pay so much for inferior products.
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Where is Justin Webb? Has he been bloggernaped or is he having a vacation, enjoying Istanbul with out us.
The world seems to be spinning along quite nicely without all these missing journalists. This must be very disconcerting for so many of them.
They seem to have no money or passports(?), as I understand this. What kind of travelers do not keep a few dollars tucked into socks or underwear?
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aquarigal, Justin will probably show up when he runs out of money.
It's funny how a life of privilege can end so suddenly.
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To#101 Gunsandreligion
Greetings to you!
My understanding is that these journalists, including Justin Webb were stranded with no money or even passports.
Perhaps they have had to stand on street corners holding signs that read:
"I will work for food."
An amusing visual is it not?
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aquarigirl, I hope you're doing well.
How about, "Will elucidate geo-political intrigue
for food, transportation, and other necessities?"
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Actually, aquagirl, if I understand Justin's exposition of the
situation correctly, he was stranded, but with money
and possibly a passport. Detached as always, and as prepared for
adversity as a boy scout, he has merely been objectively reporting
the plight of some of his less fortunate compatriots as they descend
into the mysterious depths of the orient, some never to be seen again
in this life.
Or, he could be hanging out at the Ritz, where they apparently have
booze and internet.
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And, here is where our intrepid journalistas are making their last stand.
Judging by the accomodations, I can see why Istanbul has been a haven for
espionage for centuries. I can only wonder what pleasures of the flesh
Lisbon can offer.
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#89. seanspa: "David, is that costco cheese called the dubliner (or something like that)? I've seen it but never tried it. I'll have to give it a go."
The one and the same - it's a straw colour as opposed to the orange American "cheddar" - but if you have a Trader Joe's near you, they often have English and Welsh cheeses.
"the second word after "Irish" in David's post is misspelt. You may wish to point that out!"
Actually not misspelt, but the wrong word! :) Spell checks do not differentiate between correctly spelt words incorrectly placed.
#102. aquarizonagal: "Perhaps (these journalists) have had to stand on street corners holding signs that read: "I will work for food."
Which begets the question - do any of them know what real work is?
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What a pity, the link works in "preview" but not after it is posted.
Perhaps someone at the BBC could look into this.
But, if you google for "Ritz-Carlton Istanbul," you'll see what a
desperate plight our brave correspondent souls are in.
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GnR # 105
Istanbul, espionage and pleasures of the flesh offered by Lisbon [ Lissabon / Lisboa] ?
I can only assume you are having a Casablanca flashback, "hill of beans" etc etc.
How about Pork Braised with Sherry, Lamb in Beaujolais, Venison with Port sauce or even Roast ribs of beef with Mustard sauce.
Do not feel that poultry, seafood and shellfish count as "pleasures of the flesh", but then it is 2009 and all tastes may be acceptable. If that is your leaning- try the Calamares- you should have no problems with the claws on those pussys as experienced by David and bere54. Hope you like garlic.
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99, aquarizonagal -
The cookies are the famous(now dead)-actor-all-proceeds-to-charity brand. Most excellent. Still too expensive.
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To#108 watermanaquarius
I just had an excellent breakfast but your post has inspired hunger. I have eaten a lot of venison but not with port sauce, I must try that. The beef with mustard sauce reminds me of a dish my mother made, especially when very irritated with my father. It required a lot of pounding to some kind of steak with a large mallet. I never knew what else she did because that was not a time to linger in the kitchen.
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@58 timewaits...
you wrote: As a foil when she passed through enemy (American) lines. The story being she was taking the cow... some place!
You remind me of a story about one of our borders many, many years ago. There was a fellow who rode into the US on a bicycle every couple of days for months, carrying a bag of sand. Every day the Customs folks would carefully check the bag of sand and find...sand. Finally after months of this the Customs agent said to the fellow, "Look, we know you are smuggling something into the country. You've fooled us completely. What is it???!!!"
"Bicycles."
Regards to all.
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111 arclightt
That is very amusing and I did not expect the punch line!
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aquarizonagal # 110
Tenderising steak with a mallet is an excellent way of improving the lesser cuts though leaving it to soak in herbs before cooking if you have lots of time on your hands, requires less physical power. Hope you enjoyed the meals, and the reason for your Mothers irritations were not caused by the marinated state of your Dad.
It gets me to wondering if Justin has decided to leave us all to stew for the long weekend.
Keeping my fingers crossed for his own and his colleagues pickled livers.
Wishing you [and all] a good friday, and Easter weekend
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113 waterman
Is it that the weather has been so garden-friendly you have no time to post? Is so, I envy you. I miss your witty, complex and often confusing (to me!) contributions. Is it raining today?
I know you are only trying to make us jealous with your talk of gourmet Portuguese food, But..... I'm not falling for it! I can go to Coco-Rico on St. Lawrence Street!
I do find it strange that Justin has gone AWOL. Perhaps he is in a Turkish bath and I don't suppose they have internet access.
Lots of Easter celebrations in your part of the world I would think. Happy Easter!
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To#111 Arclightt
My first good laugh for the day! Thank you!
To#113 watermanaquarius
I do believe that we children have been left to our own mischief for this weekend. When Justin Webb returns he will find that we have been friviling: swapping recipes, sharing sources for bread and cheese and telling jokes. Will we all be sent to the naughty corner?
I wish you and all a pleasant Easter weekend, as well!
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To#109 Bere54
Could you figure out what is in the cookie and make up your own? Cookie dough can be frozen in small packets for baking a few at a time. If you are cooking only for yourself, after you bake your potato you could pop the cookies in and have dessert!
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116 aquarizonagal
If Justin wishes us to stay on topic, he should appear from time to time to make sure we are doing so! Or perhaps he will be proud that we are able to entertain ourselves during his ...lengthy... absences.
You give such good advice; baking cookies while the oven is still hot. I may not follow it, but I am paying attention to it!
Happy Easter to you and your family.
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To#114 Timewaitsfornoman
After checking the web site for Justin Webb's hotel in Istanbul, I have concluded that unless the press are residing in a basement they perhaps hope never to be 'unstranded.'
Justin Webb may be lounging in bacchanalian stupor in this luxurious place,
asking himself "What blog?"
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118 aquarizonagal
"What blog?"
That is very, very funny. You are being "terribly witty" today!
As in, "Who, me? I have a blog?"
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84 Bere pleased to report a nice cheese. not outstanding but definately not buttery like so many others. Thanks for the recomendation. After tryig it au natural I tried a bit with some toomy K on it. Oh what a joy.;)
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To Timewaitsfornoman
At eighty, I do still have a few wits left! As for not wasting a hot oven, I am a depression baby. I was raised to waste nothing and the habit is still with me.
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DC can't afford a new machine. I have tried breads but here in the states where our house also came with a Massive oven I am reluctant to heat it up to do the basics.
Making your own bread is well and fine but I would have to make 10 loaves in my oven and I am not sure others would appreciate the unique and crumbly texture ;)
Out of a bread machine I have had several friends that did this for years until they figured it was costing them more than the artisans.
then there is the other side of it.
Bakers need jobs. I would rather pay a baker to locally make a bread to keep skills there.
I do not wish to see the baker pass away into the anals of time.
There is an advantage to home baking but in the city, any city. it should be possible to buy a decent bread.
I started baking as a 8 year old.
Never got a better loaf than from the local bakers in Horsell.
(it was not exceptional) .Who went out of business becuse of economies of scale hit them as many others.
Support your local baker, and candlestick maker.
as to the complains. having argued for a year or so with the I crowd seeing as everyone seems bored with that. Even I have stopped responding on the whole. I could but we have been there. 1000 post time wasters.
again and again.
It was not you I was refering to be assured.
Truly the pong is from the same person so often as to be spammy.
(ps Spam how horrible is that stuff)
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104 and really big cockroaches.lol.
(no joke)
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106 DC Trader Joes did have a high air miles cheddar from Dorset.Great stuff. I'm not sure they still do it.
something else I suspect.
My desire is to see a good cheese produced locally. (not till the muck)
Bere Newman O's.? great great So glad that some human friendly companies exist.
121 Aqua saving the world one cookie at a time.
I think the local saying would be " You go girl!"
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aquarizonagal & happylaze
I am not a terribly wasteful person, but know I waste more than I should (I am making an effort to reform with some success). I do not know if you do this aqua, living in a hot climate, but during the winter when I turn the oven off I leave the door open to help warm the room. Realized I was wasting a lot of energy otherwise. My sister uses her oven to supplement the heat in her kitchen as electricity is inexpensive here and renewable. My parents grew up during the depression, so I was taught, "waste not, want not" values.
We live in an area with many small shops and I try to support them. Buy eco friendly products with no bleach, compost, recycle, etc.
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To Happylaze
SPAM was introduced during the late depression. It IS nasty but hungry people ate it and enriched Hormel in the process.
I bake bread because I enjoy it. It is something I have done most all my life and there are no bakeries near to me.
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Sean food talk and all reminded me of hte question from the other day that never got asked because I failed to reach the correct altitude.
Dandilion and Burdock. bit like Root beer .
Do you hate them or like them. both are a bit like marmite. most seem to love it or hate it.
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Just popped to add my two loaves of bread to this thread.
The time and cost of making fresh bread is miniscule when you have the aroma of loaves baking in the oven filling your home.
I have placed "baking stones" in my oven on which to bake the bread directly on a porous surface with even distrubution of heat. Also add a small pan of boiling water so the bread bakes in a moist atmosphere. Sour dough breads and pancakes are a favorite in this house. I keep a small crock of sour dough starter well attended.
Break times over. I'm working on an old car today so I can sell it. Part of my down-sizing in preparation for my move out west. Happy Easter, to those not offended by that greeting. Celebrate the weekend, to everyone else. Will likely pop back in again later.
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timewaitsfornoman # 114
Quite correct. Sun shining like crazy these last few weeks [months] and doing my best not to rust away sitting on my rump, so blogging every second beer after completing jobs when I need to sit in the shade.
Wish I could cook like an expert but unfortunately not. Still, with a host of spices, wine, honeys etc and a vivid imagination - I do my best to concoct something tasty but different and no victims have fallen foul of my laboratory recipes yet.
With nothing to do Justin is probably touring the city with his fellow hacks explaining what exactly Turkish Delight is.
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Dandelion and Burdock? Never tried it, although as I like marmite, maybe I just have a strange taste and will like it also. I see from wiki that it can be drunk with gin. That gives me more incentive to try it. Now, where to find it?
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#122. happylaze: "DC . . . Never got a better loaf than from the local bakers in Horsell."
Extraordinary - first you know where Goodrington Sands is and now you mention Horsell, which I assume is the one near Woking. We lived there for a short period and I went to St Andrew's Prep. School. What a small world.
I've never tried my hand at bread, but was always a good cake maker. The British/English cakes, like a nice Madeira, are impossible to find here, except perhaps in small commercial slices imported from the UK. And who in America makes a traditional Victoria sponge? I love the lightness of American cakes (they use oil rather than shortening) but still miss something more solid. I too started baking and cooking as a youngster; I think it should be mandatory for boys (as well as girls) to learn to cook the basics. My father could hardly boil an egg and a recently bereaved uncle never knew how operate a microwave oven, let alone a regular range.
Regarding being stuck in Istanbul - surely cell/mobile phones can send calls back to the UK? I would have thought Justin could phone in a report, unless of course he's having far too good a time to care.
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130lol Sean I can understand not liking it. I happen to but I can see how people may not. So question 2 do you like Root beer?
131
being un undiplomatic brat ,devon was the home (I e relatives lived there) of the British side but Horsell was where we lived.(closer to london). I went to a school in West Byfleet. when younger.
On baking . I think I over work the dough. so end up with good pizza bases but not good bread.
I hope they all did not visit a bar and find the Girls were a few bits more than advertised,
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128 Stop in at the Blacksmith night out if you're in Eugene, (bring some treats;)) I'll trade you a frog for your cousin.
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129 waterman
"need to sit in the shade."
Now you've made me jealous!! Temperature is warming up here so we spend our time staying in the sun! - no risk of sun burn yet! I really wish I could see your place. Do not know if I told you my parents owned a "villa" in Spain after my father retired and we would go to visit regularly. Googled their village and, with the situation there now, many places for sale. The first one up looked so much like theirs, it brought tears to my eyes. You are fortunate.
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To Happylaze
I love dandelion. My old Dad made a wonderful wine by combining dandelion greens and flowers with mint leaves. It may sound awful but what ever he did produced a delightful semi sweet wine, so delicious on a summer evening.
I believe he missed his true calling in life. He should have been a vintner and distiller. His whiskey, wines and cordials were truly inspiring and he was always experimenting. However, when he tried to make beer it was a disaster!
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128 publiusdetroit
You are going out west. I thought you might be, but was not sure. Not much Easter celebrating for me, no young children to hide eggs for, plus we were suppose to be in Toronto this week-end, but are not, so are "plan-less." Happy Easter to you.
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To #128 Publiusdetroit
"Baking stones" are something I do not know. When you get a break from your mechanical work, please enlighten me. I am still using some of my mother's bread pans, cast iron and they are getting too heavy for me to handle when hot.
The steamy water in the oven is especially good for the French style breads and such.
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Never tried root beer - I guess I've classified it as a fizzy of some sort, so avoided it. On the sodas, my only vice is the hideously coloured orangeade like fanta. Well, you have to have one flaw, after all.
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happylaze -
Pleased to hear the Vermont cheddar was not a disaster.
On the topic of baking, even if it's off-topic, I just wandered into the King Arthur Flour bakery store (have to kill a few hours in the area waiting for a friend). Who knew there were so many types of flour? They have European flour, French flour for crusty breads, Italian flour - all supposedly of different consistencies. Best of all they have a little cafe where I enjoyed an exquisite apple danish and a coffee. Might have to wander back in there since I still have two hours to kill. But in a few minutes I'm heading over to the pub (Murphy's, oft-mentioned in one of Bill Bryon's books) for a late lunch. I'm criss-crossing the VT/NH border here.
Spending a few hours in civilization ain't so bad.
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To#139 Bere54
What a treat!
I use their flour but cannot imagine a whole store dedicated to their goods. Lucky You and sometimes civilization is fun if you can stand the traffic.
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Justin:
a couple of threads you could do when you get back.
1. Obama's shameful performance as Commanderin Chief
Somalia pirate situation
Appeasing Iran's terrorist regime
etc.
2. Biden's latest dulusion about in private meetings with Bush he admonished him on leadership.
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Ref 137 aquarizonagal
A "baking stone" is a flat, smooth, porous sheet of unglazed ceramic about a quarter inch thick that is used to line the ovens in a good bakery. They can be found in stores that specialize in kitchen gadgets made to a size that fits nicely on the wire racks of your oven. (I'm certain you can find them on-line) I sprinkle a thin coat of corn flour on the stone to keep the bread dough from sticking to the stone.
You can use a sheet of unglazed terra cotta found at a lumberyard or building center (as they have come to be known) with the same results. Wash the terra cotta. Let it dry for a couple days, then don't wash it after use. Just dust off the corn flour. Any moisture left in the stone will cause it to crack the next time you use it. The heat of the oven kills any germs while you are pre-heating.
You may also want a wooden "peel" if you are going to bake bread directly on the stone. A peel is nothing more than a large, thin, wooden paddle that slips under the bread to remove it from the oven. Of course, you can just slide out the wire rack to remove the bread, but the peel works quicker, allowing less heat to escape for the patch of cookies, or cinnamon rolls that will follow:-)
When my son's friends come to visit for the first time and see the peel hanging on the wall by the stove they always ask him if that's what I used to spank him with when he was bad boy. He explains its purpose. Then they are amazed that I make bread. If there are loaves cooling on the rack, they get a real treat. Oven-fresh, warm bread with real butter melting into the wheaten sponge.
I find it interesting how many women in their 50's and younger, I know, that wear their inability to cook or bake like it is some sort of badge marking their liberation. My brother and I learned to cook and bake along side of my sisters when we were growing up. There was no gender-discrimination in our house when it came to learning how to cook.
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The man who is buying my goats has arrived. I have enjoyed the piffling and the friviling but if things are to get serious it is time for me to say:
Adios and dasvidanya!
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happylaze & David_Cunard
Maybe the two of you are related! Now wouldn't that surprise you both?
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publiusdetroit
My mother did not care for cooking so there were few happy scenes of us all clustered around in the kitchen learning how to cook! She taught us how to bake (with Robin Hood or Five Roses Flour), but bread was not part of her repertoire. Butter tarts! we all know how to make butter tarts! A Christmas tradition.
My mother refused to allow any of her four daughters to take home economics in school. "No daughter of mine will spend value class time learning how to vacuum and open a can of apple juice." to quote!
As a result the four of us can cook but not one has a passion for it.
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Our Korean dry cleaner, in halting English, wished us a Happy Good Friday. We thanked him.
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publius -
My mother taught cooking to none of her children - no gender discrimination there! She didn't want us in the kitchen, and that's probably a good thing since I remember eating a lot of casseroles made with canned cream of mushroom soup. I didn't learn how to cook until I married, and I learned from my husband, but he had a passion for it and I never did, so he did most of the cooking. Two of my good friends have husbands who enjoy cooking much more than they do (and are better at it) and so do most of the cooking.
I don't wear my non-expertise as a badge of honor; I admit it as a failing. But I did teach myself how to bake bread and became quite good at it. My kids loved my bread but were never all that thrilled about anything else I made, except to this day they love my mac and cheese.
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I've just been invited to an atheists' Easter dinner. That should be interesting. I don't think I've ever been to an Easter dinner, atheist or otherwise.
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142 publiusdetroit
P.S. I do know what you mean but if I didn't have to cook (thereby gaining experience) I could see myself saying, "Really, I don't know how to cook."
I am fortunate, a few of my friends are fabulous cooks and I have learned from them. And now I must go and cook......."something"?!!
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While I was finishing my salad lunch at Murphy's Pub, a woman sitting near me asked the waitress if they had matzoh (and explained all about unleavened bread to to the poor waitress). She seemed a bit peeved that an Irish pub had no matzoh, and told the waitress that she is not permitted to eat bread during Passover week. They then held a discussion about pita but when the waitress told her it has flour, the customer once again said how she is "not allowed" to eat it. She then placed her lunch order: shrimp salad. I almost choked.
For those who may not know: shellfish is tref (forbidden) year round to observant Jews, particularly those so observant that they will not eat bread during Passover.
For some reason, I was then not surprised when this woman pulled out her cell phone and proceeded to place one call after another, leaving messages, until she finally found someone to entertain her during her solitary lunch. I had a book, but as I had finished I paid up and went elsewhere with my book.
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Ref 150 bere54
Is there no dispensation for "shelled" shellfish? ;-)
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145, timewaits.
"As a result the four of us can cook but not one has a passion for it."
Ditto. I occasionally liked to cook for a party, but cooking three meals a day was soul-destroying. So, gues what, I didn't do it.
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151, publius -
Not unless there's one for a hoofless pig.
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Ref 153 bere54
Won't surprise me if she had "bacon bits" sprinkled on her salad.
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154, publius -
Bet she did.
I couldn't care less if people want to pick and choose about their religious observances, as long as they don't make a big hypocritical deal about it in restaurants, acting all pious and hassling waitresses over matzoh.. It was actually very funny. I was tempted to let her know she'd been caught out by someone a bit more knowledgeable than the young waitress. Of course, every last thing served in the pub is tref and a truly pious Jew wouldn't have been there in the first place.
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to arizonagal
I used to make dandelion and elderberry flower wine - delish
also our "vin ordinare" was elderberry, which grew in abundance on our farm in New Brunswick
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#150. bere54: "She then placed her lunch order: shrimp salad."
Could it have been the fake 'shrimp' which is made from surimi? Pollock is often the prime ingredient - and of course, kosher.
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150. bere
"She seemed a bit peeved that an Irish pub had no matzoh, and told the waitress that she is not permitted to eat bread during Passover week. They then held a discussion about pita but when the waitress told her it has flour, the customer once again said how she is "not allowed" to eat it. She then placed her lunch order: shrimp salad. I almost choked."
Maybe she just wanted to beel special. No one could be that ignorant. Even as a non-Jew I know the prohibions for observant Jews.
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A friend used to make choke cherry wine. Quite good on a vin ordinare scale. It was much better when distilled into liqueur. Kind of a country Creme de Cassis.
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Justin, I don't know about you. but we need to get out of Istanbul.
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Ref 157 David_Cunard
It would be rare to find an Irish Pub keeping kosher. I could be wrong, but I think it would be a safe bet;-)
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160, Ms. Marbles, think about the bright side of things. At least
when help arrives, Justin will not have to dodge bullets on his
way to the airport because Hillary is not in town.
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#161. publiusdetroit: "It would be rare to find an Irish Pub keeping kosher."
More likely to be Catholic - but wouldn't something derived from white fish be innately kosher? It's not as if it has to be killed in a specific manner. I'm not familiar with the details of all the prohibitions, but surely practicing Jews cannot always eat in rabbinically certified restaurants?
Perhaps MagicKirin can provide the details - what do (Jewish) Israelis eat for Passover - and can they eat fake shrimp created from white fish?
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I have to agree with Ms Marbles that the thread is deteriorating.
Woke up hoping to read about Justins escape from a life of leisure and luxury to greet the extended food blog and from comments above - bread, flour, wine, eating and Irish Pubs, I almost expected to read the chicken soup with Matzoh balls story.[ {Miller} / Monroe]
Publiusdetroit is stoned his end and D_C informs us that fake shrimp is made from Pollocks to be Kosher. He omits to say the fish itself, because of its unfortunate name has been renamed "Colin" to help it sell in the British supermarket. Tabernacles David.
Thank you Magik. A bit of sanity trying to escape from these matzohchists.
Not all of us can sit on our buns this weekend, hoping to seder right things.
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Clearly Justin has gone away for the weekend, which happens on holiday weekends.
Got hungry reading the postings.
Spent the evening using Google to look for a really good recipe for Roast Lamb for Easter Sunday. Looking for something spicy. Might try some kind of ginger marinade. Bere? Timewaits? Any ideas?
Also, on the subject of bread, we once had a particularly tasty mildly dark loaf somewhere in Schwabia. Never figured out what they put in it. No, it was not hallucinogenic. There seem to be bread afficionados here. I ask your help.
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Justin
An interesting article in the Telegraph (the only English speaking media outlet covering the story btw) about Goldman Sachs - which bankrolled Barack Obama's Presidential campaign - hiring a law firm to shut down a bloggers site that is extremely critical about the investment bank, its board and its practices.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/5137489/Goldman-Sachs-hires-law-firm-to-shut-bloggers-site.html
The blogger's site is thought provoking in itself, and the extent to which ex staffers are now in prominent positions in western governments is quite intriguing. Then the question why only the Telegraph carries the story, and is neglected entirely by the US media, is to say the least curious. I guess you cannot comment as an ex Goldman Sachs staffer was a BBC Chairman?
PS Enjoy the Turkish Delights!
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Interestedforeigner # 165
Schwabia loaf ? Sounds like you need to visit a good super or specialist store where many imported prepacked sliced versions are sold.
Can buy two tasty dark types here- One a German emmer wheat, sunflower seed mix, and the other a German pumpernickel / rye bread caraway seed thing. With many hundreds of German quality breads available you have your hands full getting the one you remember. Do a walking tour of small quality stores. Remember No pain - no pain! The exercise and finding the bread itself will keep you going all weekend.
Ginger marinade / Roast Lamb sounds nice.-An Indonesian slant to cooking meats hits the spot everytime.
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I guess Justin has either been a victim of the arak, or else the delights of the Turkish Bath.
I'm envious that he gets to spend some down time in Istambul - a hugely underrated city IMO. Great food, great people, safe to walk around at night, some great historical monuments - can't wait to go back really.
Top restaurant - inside the 1500 year old cistern of Justinian near Topkapi palace. Excellent food, and just wierd to be eating in a really old water container!
The rest of you have made me really hungry .... off to lunch now.
Oh, and bere54 @148 - what do atheists eat fro Easter? Whatever they want I suppose, but this one's having a big roast leg of lamb anyway. My butcher just prepares it so well that I'll go along with the local custom!
However last night (Good Friday) we went for dinner with some Italian friends, who seemed quite surprised when we teased them for serving meat!
Contemplated going down to the Colloseum to wave condoms at the Pope, but then dessert came out and that was the end of it.
Happy Easter everyone....
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Interestedforeigner
I'd like to help, really I would, but I'm a "wing it" kind of cook. Always use rosemary/garlic/oil with roast lamb and more often than not have been very successful. Once when serving roast lamb, my husband said, "This is so good it tastes like you didn't make it." Gasps from our guests around the table. Told them not to worry, it was his idea of a compliment!
Checked a ginger recipe and it calls for the same above ingredients plus ginger and port. Best I can do, but not sure why you are asking the woman! We do not inherently know how to cook, (I say in jest - not about the cooking, but the saying of it).
Perhaps we are fatigued by arguing about/trying to resolve the world's problems and are taking an Easter/Passover break. The Goldman Sachs article is very interesting and I do not doubt that there is more to this meltdown story than we will ever know or believe. These bankers did not make it to the top through stupidity. Now they are wealthier and we are not!
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To all "Still Stuck In Istanbul":
Is it not interesting that while language, culture and politics can divide us, food and drink unite us? 'Share bread and salt and speak your truth.' (an old proverb)
To#168 Romestu
As a pagan agnostic liberal, I applaud your thought to "wave condoms at the pope" but this may not be expedient for you while living in Rome. Just a thought because I like you and would not wish you to be mobbed by religious conservatives.
To #169 Timewaitsfornoman
Goldman Sachs had some of our retirement savings. They ate it! Happy Easter!
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139 bere " I'm criss-crossing the VT/NH border here. "
Don't forget to take your pass port and some cash in a hidden belt or in a sock.
;)
My answer to Gherkins bleet--
142 " Pub Aqua and the stones" (I think it would make a good name for some band.)
Pub I 've been using those stones for a few years now. I used to make up to 15 handmade pizzas (16) in an evening to keep all the munchies away from a certain crowd I knew.
A bring your own toppings party.
I'd get the Cheese make dough and sauce .
Those stones are great , unless you forget the corn flour and let them get Olive oil from the pizza on them (high rims worth while) then they just smoke until you decide to get a new one. (, I suppose they could be fired again.
One more thing DON"T THROW FROZEN foods on them lol;).
A friend used one to try to bake a frozen strudel . The two halves still worked and are easy to transport in a back back. but not a good Idea.
Being in the UK at the time and not having the stones available I called the company to find out if they sold them in the UK. they said no and they would send me one. from chicago.(Sassasafara or some one). still they did . I was amazed. they didn't even charge me for it.
from then on the two pizza in the oven party was a Go.
Grand father was the chef at a nobby hotel in Torquay for an after the war.
so I was brought up to think men cook. Architecture school most men seemed to be able to cook at least one meal.Normally it seemed the strangest(not so strange when you look at their waists) knew how to make a full Sunday Roast.
British Boiled food is one I have heard americans mention in serious tones when discussing food.
Those are the most Ignorant.
Roast.That is the traditional sunday meal .with roast potatoes (peel put in Cold water.halve. bring to boil. let simmer for 5 minutes then. put in roasting pan,Save water for gravey.) not exactly over boiled.
The french call Brits "Roast Beef" ( as well as others) which I always took real well.seemed like an affectionate friendly nick name.
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169, timewaits: ""This is so good it tastes like you didn't make it."
Long ago before I read about puss pockets and fecal matter and stopped eating meat, I decided to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving (for the first time ever; my husband had always done that). It turned out really well, and my kids suspiciously asked how was it that our friend Karen (an excellent cook) had snuck this turkey into our kitchen. What wits they were (and still are). To this day they exhibit great surprise when I cook anything that actually tastes really good.
David -
The shrimp was not made of pollock or anything other than its own shrimpiness. If Murphy's served fake seafood (even if it were called "colin") I would not eat there. Also, it's not the flour that is forbidden during Passover, it's the leavening. Which was another funny aspect to the incident.
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Just think this is a 4 day holiday in the UK. Shame about the separation of religion and state here sometimes.
Bank holiday weekend terrors all over the UK.
most on the way to some sunny part of Europe of off Skiing.
. Damn them and their public holidays.
Thats where Justin went. While a BBC america reporter he probably gets the same as US diplomatic staff.
They get the British holidays.
And there's bugger all to do during the US holidays 'cause everyones... on holiday.
(note to US Holidays in the UK are not holy do not only come in the winter and are paid. not just supposed to be paid like here.)
Just to say that seeing as he does seem to have gone Native he may well say " frankly dears I don't give a damn"
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All this talk of easter dinner means I'm off to costo today to get a boneless leg of lamb. Very good value. I cook it just the same way as timewaits - rosemary and garlic. It always turns out great, even if it is over or underdone.
But how do you do roast potatoes at the same time, unless you have 2 ovens? The roasties needs a much higher temperature. Any tips would be appreciated.
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150 BERE .. That was amazing and amusing.And I was confused by the objecting to flour.
Still the lady was crazy.. loco.. plum mad. It would have been funny to know what she would have said if given a few polite tips about it.
Aqua "To#168 Romestu
As a pagan agnostic liberal, I applaud your thought to "wave condoms at the pope" but this may not be expedient for you while living in Rome. Just a thought because I like you and would not wish you to be mobbed by religious conservatives. "
he's safe in Rome then.;) but better not get filmed doing it or he might be denied a visa to the states.
Any one remember the Spitting Image pope "HE's a here" sketch.?
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sean I'm not sure there.
I think you turn the oven up for the 45 mins of the spuds . go half way . turn the oven up near the end of the meat and when the meat is sitting keep them roasting at the higher temp..
Do you do Yorkshires ( I know not traditional with lamb but tasty any day) .
if so
20 mins before roast is done turn the temp up. throw in the spuds . take beef out at time . turn spuds a little throw in yorkies and wait . We all know "don't open the oven on the yorkies they drop flat(supposedly never had the courage to try;))
Sorry no help
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To Happylaze
You are so much fun. I just love your posts! You blow in like the west wind that clears the air. Happy pizza making!
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174 seanspa
"tips would be appreciated"
I believe happylaze answered that in #171. My mother made fabulous crispy roast potatoes, not sure how she did it. My suggestion, when you take the lamb out of the oven, if the potatoes are in the same pan, transfer to another with some of the drippings and turn up the heat. But... I'm no cook.
171 happylaze
"15 pizzas"
Exactly how many people would be at these gatherings?
As I've mentioned before Montreal has a large Jewish community (many my close friends), so the behaviour bere54 describes is not at all foreign to me. Seen it, along with the virtual rearranging of the restaurant furniture, too many times to mention.
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All - Disclaimer!!
Not too sure what my 178 says as I hit Post Comment instead of Preview!!
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177 thanks Aqua. you're one of those who could offend me by saying it was a foul wind. (there's not too many that could offend so don't bother)
don't stay away so long. we need your perspective here .happy Easter .
funny thing about the pizza's is that I hardly make them here in the states.
but I do make great pizza cutters.
http://nw-arts.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=147
http://nw-arts.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=125
I'll have to put the latest pizza cutter on the site .(can't remember my own codes lol)
Has arms and looks scared.
riding the wheel.
You sound like you've been making bread to the point of getting it right. but if you do get one of them stones then they are great for pizzas.
I think they call them pizza stones.
But Pizza and stoned .... I'm in.
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A friend of mine was a vegetarian for years, his wife not too happy about it as she, although a great cook, had to keep dreaming up alternate meals. He is a wonderful, mild mannered person, one of the "good guy" and at a party I heard someone call to me that, "Alan has become a mediator." I thought that was a fabulous job for him and proceeded to gush on about how I thought he was perfectly suited for the job. Perplexed faces, "Whaaa?" Of course they had said, "meat eater."!!
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My problem, as I see it, is that the lamb cooks at 400F at the most, then rests for 20 minutes. The potatoes need a good 450F for 45 minutes. The lamb is going to be cold at the end of all that. So does having the potatoes start early (on a lower temperature) and then blast them for 20 minutes work? If only Michael Caine read this blog.
I've never tried yorkshires. I classify them as baking rather than cooking, so my wife does these, occasionally. We have the same temperature issues as the roasties though.
In celebration of Justin being stuck in Instanbul, I might make some mint sauce. I am assuming they drink the mint tea found elsewhere in the middle east.
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lol time
quite a few .I didn't always do that many but did on enough occasions. but then we all were hungry hippies(even though some were really estate managers , bankers and people with real professions. (not like smithing;))
Normally a few people who would pop in.
I had a life style that meant we had to worry about traffic into the house.
Pizza parties solved that in part. really they came to eat but then there is a market.
And the "management" allowed us to smoke.
So left overs were never a problem.
;)) mmmm oh and anchovies . Ye who brings them put them on cause I ain't touching them. lol
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181 lol
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180 happylaze
I have said before; your site needs a serious overhaul!! You show us your fine work but give no indication (that I am aware of) as to how to purchase them. I mentioned this in a previous post. My son is in the internet marketing business and has become a sought after expert. I wish I could help up your sales. Well, I could try if you would only follow my advice!! I give good advice, I swear. I could produce testimonials if required.
183 "Traffic into the house" hhhmmmm... right! gotcha!
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182 they do drink the mint tea.
and yes you can just blast them at the end for 20 mins.
but give a head start by turning the oven up 5 or 10 minutes before the roast is done. by the time the heat hits the roast it will be coming out of the oven anyway.
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185 that site is old and hard to get to and work with. and once there is a price the BBC will not allow me to link to it. I have stuff on ETSY.com but they don't seem to like that. Or someone gets offended and refers the post.
Through Etsy there is a facility called Alchemy where artists can discuss Ideas with potential clients.
Can you make this? sort of place.
I have been moving over there.
But Mods have not let these letters through.
jacksforge
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Time 187 is an example of any hint as to where you might find my stuff s fate.
The mod would not let me link to it.
or even describe it and how you may get there.
too personal.they say. I say screw the crazies let them find me.
I ain't shy.
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strange seeing as U tube make money off people visiting I wonder if they will get around to banning U tube as well.
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Now gary will come and say "there are rules you know" ;)
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159 publius detroit
Our chokecherry was like the worst tasting cough medicine, we went no furthur with it
Justin, Now you know why you might have needed your passports!!
Getting ready for tomorrow with chocolate guiness cake and chestnut cheesecake
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182 seanspa
You are right - the only problem with this blog is that Michael Caine does not read it. Or perhaps he does and is laughing himself silly over our inability to make decent roast potatoes.
You would not be "blasting them," but instead cooking them for the final minutes at 450. One thing I have learnt, if this is of any use; do not turn them over too often. Let them brown (crisp up) on one side before turning. We are talking about roast potatoes as opposed to baked are we not?
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169 Timewaits.
Sorry, I didn't mean to be presumptuous. It's just every time I read what I think were your (i.e., meaning you and Bere, and, indeed others,) earlier posts I got hungrier and hungrier.
Thanks, though, to all. I am off to the store to buy some Rosemary and get this thing going.
174, Seanspa: As for the potatoes, I sometimes cook them (i.e., the little new potatoes with their skins on, or modestly sized ones cubed) in a convection oven. An olive oil or butter mixture with herbs can be used to coat them, and you cook them until nicely browned, turning them every once in a while. They can be cooked ahead of time, and re-heated. Ever notice that re-heating spiced potatoes makes them better each time you re-heat them? Odd that. Same thing seems to be true of chili, stew, chicken tikka, rogan josh,or goulash.
You can also do them in an aluminum pan on the barbecue, but you have to not let them burn. The potatoes seem to burn more easily if you have guests and you are on the porch having a beer and conversing. My wife likes to put the potatoes and onions (and carrots, leeks, turnips or yams, as you please) in the bottom of the roasting pan. That can be really good, too.
... and you should not go to the grocery store, or read blog postings about food, on an empty stomach. The waistline can't handle a 22 year old's appetite any more.
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Seanspa: Agree with Happy at 186.
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188 happylaze
I thought of that, but googling of any combination of what we know about you brings up nought!! You have to at least make yourself easier to find. Regard how we, through amazing brain power and fine detective skills, tracked down seanspa and I don't think he even wanted to be found!
"Rules are made to be broken."
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To Happylaze
Thanks for the links and I really love your creative work. I may have to make a trip to your gallery so I can buy some iron critters from you but we will have to smoke the peace pipe first. Do not believe that I am too old!
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191 canadacold
"chocolate guiness cake and chestnut cheesecake"
That sounds wonderful, I have had neither. My family has several Christmas traditions but am trying to remember if we have any Easter ones, other than lamb, ham and Easter eggs. I don't recall if we had a special dessert and my memory is not that bad.... yet! Not pumpkin pie, fruitcake or butter tarts that much I know!
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Interested.
there were studies done that also showed that each heating and cooling cycle on spuds was of benefit to the health of the eater . as well as better tasting.
When roasting spuds I agree with Time one turn only and aunty does them with a fork run over the surface of the spud to make a little crispier textured surface.
But they must be heated in cold water till boiling if they are to be like a British, roast spud. steams them a little.
fluffyier.
I am not sure but most americans have said "I've not had quite the same before."
When comparing recipes (methods really) the boiling seems to be the difference.
But what could be more convenient , Spuds should go into water after peeling.
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Timewaits have you heard of that venue for all sorts of hand made crafts, etsy?
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Aqua I still have a frog on it for your contributions to the post before the elections.
but alas there seems no way to get it to you.
;(
And you'll never be to old for a peace pipe. or too old.
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195 "Rules are made to be broken." but I can't get by the Mods.
They are the Gods.
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Think I will try roasting potatoes the happylaze way. Can't it be done, though, with the skins on? It's against my religion (The Church of Sloth) to peel potatoes.
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193 Interestedforeigner
Not to worry, I have learned how literal you are - not my forte!! (Did I mention I have Newfie blood?) But felt I could not let it go by... sorry!
"For the sisterhood!" Not that I'm much of a member - dues overdue, etc.!
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202 bere I think it could work with the skins on.
but they may cook a little differently. They could taste great.
Don't make them too big.. or too small.lol.
Time and all on the melt down. I'm with you it will take a long time to figure out the players.
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202 bere54
"the happylaze way"
Yes it can. If crisped up properly they are like large perfectly made french fries. And, as you may know, Quebecers are master patate frit makers!
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happylaze
We, the common man, ain't never gonna figure out the players! This is so huge and I believe so well thought out, only someone like you (and me - think 911) are going to believe it! Remember me mentioning the "black hole"? I believe it does exist. It was dug in preparation by its owners, who knew what was coming. How? by creating "it."
I think you have mentioned Esty before, but again, one has to know what one is looking for and even that took me awhile! You need your own website.
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Musical tribute to Easter.
"Put Your Shoulder to the Boulder, Roll Out the Rock."
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206
my missus calls it" the brain" that runs the world.
as to site . I used to post under the name jacksforge (or maybe I didn't.;) but you are right.
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have fun all
happy e ster
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happylaze -
Re: jacksforge. Nosy me went to straight to Bio and there's nothing there. Why? So disappointing.
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happylaze #180.
would you sell pizza cutter to, say, UK? as said in #185, website is useless for details.
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Ref 191 canadacold
The first attempts my friend made with choke cherry wine were dreadful. A mere 2 glasses produced the worst hang-over. I don't know what he did to improve it. At least, I no longer remember. But by the third year it was really quite good. Even better when distilled.
There's a story involving about a gallon of choke cherry wine and my brother's return after a prolonged absense that him and I are still piecing together after many years. We laugh ourselves to tears:-)
Happylaze
Very often, you remind me of my brother:-)
Timewaits
Happy can be found. You know it, as well as I;-) I can't be of much help today. I'm on a mission to find a missing shop manual for my scooter. One of those, "I'm gonna put this where I can easily find it..." mishaps.
Also agree that we still haven't seen all the tricks that has led us into the market panic. It's a 3 card monte. We've only seen the Jack once.
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196 Aqua and Happy: Just wondering what goes in that peace pipe, in a rhetorical sort of way.
205 Timewaits: Quebec and chip wagons - A cultural institution.
My mom used to make hand cut fries with a "Slice-O-Matic" (remember them?) and cook them in an electric frying pan full of hot shortening (400 F). Even better than from the chip wagon. There was a trick to putting a few chips in at a time, otherwise the fat would roil over the edge and onto the stove. Even a few at a time the fat would hiss and spit at your fingers. You were supposed to use tongs, but it was way too slow. It's a wonder more houses didn't burn down.
Agree with Happy about the cold water, too.
Too warm and sunny for Poutine today.
Gorgeous Easter weekend.
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212publiusdetroit
Obviously fun
Tomorrow we'll stick with the no longer home maid local stuff
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Since this blog has becoming a cooking forum, roasting potatoes with meat is easy enough if you remember to cut them to a reasonable size - perhaps in four more-or-less equal segments. If the cooking time for the meat is shorter, which depends on how well it is to be done, then the potatoes should be par boiled, that is, just brought to the boil and no more. If the meat is to be roasted longer, then this step is unnecessary. Roasting them separately does not give the same flavour. I prefer them to be just crisp on the outside, but that is a matter of personal taste, turning them once or twice does the trick. And since my name has been mentioned in another post, the proper name for these are "Franconia Potatoes" - although whether the Cunard vessel of the same name originated it is unknown.
Yorkshire pudding - my mother always made a large one until she discovered that she could make individual ones in a baking pan used for the equivalent of cup cakes. They came out just as well as the larger size.
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I envy the writer, I have taken vacation tours to Turkey twice, Istambul is a great city. However I read recently that retailers in Turkey have signs that Jews and Americans are not welcome. I am not jewish but I am an american so I will not visit Turkey again.
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213 Interestedforeigner
So did we and we kept the grease in the fridge to be re-used adding new shortening as needed. We would cut rippled chips by hand with a "rippled chip" slicer. I think one of my sisters still has it! (metal blade with a wooden handle). But... the secret is to cook them twice! Cook unto 3/4 done, remove, drain (on a brown paper bag!), then put them back to crisp. We would cook two batches 3/4 and put them all in together to finish. happylaze said something about that in #198. Now I bake frozen ones in the oven. My deep frying days are over.
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This is worst than George Orwell's Down and Out series. As W.E.B. Dubois wrote, "To be poor is bad enough, but to be poor in the Land of Dollars is the worst." It looks as though VISA has won again.
This is a lesson in captalism. Capitalism requires capital. And everybody is a capitalist now, where the dollar still remains king.
Throw yourselves on the mercy of the U.S. Embassy.
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To#212 Publiusdetroit
I forgot to thank you for the "Bread stone" information. I think I will just make one or two. I have the proper clay and a kiln. It will be easy.
Enjoy your Easter. I have company so no more posts this day.
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Ref 218 marygrav
Now you've given me a picture. Justin working in the kitchens of the Ritz as a plunger in order to be allowed to sleep on a cot he must share in some dingy storeroom with a Tunisian saucier that has fallen upon hard times.
:-)
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publiusdetroit
Why does it not surprise me that aquarizonagal has the proper clay and a kiln!
I hope your picture has Justin and the Tunisian saucier sleeping in rotation!! There is a limit to "For Queen and country."
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Ref 221 timewaitsfornoman
I did get a chuckle. And of course, another image. This one of aquagal at the potter's wheel. I think she will like her bread baked on a stone.
Down And Out In Paris And London is one of the most depressing books I have ever read. I should hope that Justin is not living the life of a plunger, and is safe at home with his family.
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publius -
And what exactly is a plunger when it is not a toilet tool?
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publiusdetroit
I would think he is, otherwise I'm sure we would have heard.
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Ref 223 bere54
A dishwasher.
Rer 224 timewaitsfornoman
I don't know. It is the Orient. Maybe some doe-eyed Turkish lass slipped him a "Mickey Finn" in the form of a sugar-covered fig to sell him into slavery. Maybe our intrepet reporter is being held captive; drugged and being trained to be sold as an harem guard.
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Timewaits
What happened to your Habs tonight? The last time they played Pittsburg, they mauled them.
I will say, the Penguins looked like a different team this time.
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210 Yea bere,I have Issues with Bio's.Now an artist has to sell their souls to all in order to sell their work.
always been a bit like that but historically once you sold your soul you did not have to try and re sell it at every art fair and art gallery.Oh for the old days of patronage.
The nw-arts site was set up by a friend but I cannot remember the codes to get in. maybe Ed can help me. lol.
I had issues with signing ,but I got over them.(speculating on death)
I think people can get the Bio when they get to know me.
Or if they don't haggle.LOL.
but as to not being easy to find. that is the way of this web. I have tried to leave a list of clues that could get you closer than most.
I'm not being hard to find on poipous. I suspect one day Pub will be knocking on my door. (which he is perfectly welcome to do).
The key is to check out other hand made craftspeople and their lovely work (but don't dawdle) .Sites like ETSY.com.
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227, happylaze: "Now an artist has to sell their souls to all in order to sell their work."
You are right about this and I agree that it shouldn't be that way. I accompanied a friend on a book tour, and it was distressing to see the way the author is being sold in order to sell the book. People asked her nosy personal questions and it was a difficult balance trying not to specifically answer certain questions while at the same time not offending someone who might buy the book.
And some people seemed to think they "owned" her and her private life because they had read her book, and she is not a pushy publicity-seeking sort of person, but her publishing contract required (as they all do) her to be put on display. Lucky for her, I am not as polite as she is and was able without qualms to fend off the worst of these people (which is one of the reasons why I was accompanying her).
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Ref 227 happylaze
I'm willing to make up a bio for you:-} This way the soul you sell is not your own. Something like;
Born in the Patagonia wilds, my first encounter with malleable metals was from the wreckage of a DC-3 that had wandered far off course from Acapulco while carrying bales of some kind of strange yak fodder. An encounter that changed my life path...
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Or, Happy. We can always take advantage of the times;
I was once the CEO of a junk bond printing company until the day I lit a cigarette with my zippo lighter, then began heating the straightened end of a paperclip in the flame. The red glow of the metal singed my fingers. The paperclip fell to my desk and started smoldering. I began banging it with a stapler. An image started forming in the glowing metal. It was...
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happylaze
When I say that you are not easy to find I am referring to the general public. You know that we, your fellow bloggers, could be standing on your doorstep should we so desire. The hard part would be communicating with each other without you knowing!
I'm talking about when you are out and about and someone shows an interest, you say, "Go to my site." The name of the site should be something easy for them to remember; www your name, or Eugene Blacksmith, etc. If you have to leave bread crumb clues for us how is anyone else going to manage?
A Bio is important in that people want to know your "credentials." Does not have to include your mother's maiden name!, etc. but should have a brief history; how you got into it, training, your love of it, etc. You could also talk about it being a dying art or if you give classes,etc. You can link to Esty from your site. (Estie a French Canadian "joual" swear word btw. A sentence is barely complete without saying it!)
Or... if all that seems too difficult, start a blog (blogspot) again using your name or blacksmith.
I like publiusdetroit's idea. That should get their interest!
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publiusdetroit
Re: The Habs, talk is they would prefer to play Boston than Washington. Don't know how much truth there is in that. Would like to think they go out to win every game but.....they're struggling and really missing Markov!!
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It is snowing. Horizontally. Too depressing.
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bere, you should move to Idaho. It isn't snowing. What's more, the snow on the ground has pretty well all gone. Unfortunately it means that I can see just how much yard work we have.
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234 Bere: Don't worry. Better weather is on it's way to you - beautiful clear blue skies, brisk spring temperature just right for doing spring raking in the yard. Should reach you later today or this evening.
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Well, at least I don't have a yard for spring or any other raking. When it's 30(F) degrees out with horizontal snow it's hard to believe spring weather is imminent. Is it coming from Idaho or Canada? That would make sense in a way as the snow is blowing southeasterly. Now I'm regretting the invitation to Atheist Easter Dinner. Who knew I'd have to drive out into the countryside in a snow storm? Well, it's really a flurry storm but I feel like complaining anyway.
Ah, I see signs of the sun!
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seanspa
"bere, you should move to Idaho."
What? Have you not spent the last four months complaining about the weather in Idaho? One nice day and all is forgotten?
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timewaits -
Memories of winter, like childbirth, seem to disappear the moment it's over. It's the only way the species can survive and maintain sanity. Unfortunately, here in Vermont we are not allowed to forget yet.
I am so pleased our Vermont sea captain has been rescued!
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timewaits, we've had a week now of no snow, and a few days last week that got up to 70F. Of course, we've had snow later than this, but for now it is forgotten. It rained most of yesterday (we were outside for 3 soccer games), but right now rain is good - it helps get rid of the remaining snow.
Great news about Captain Phillips.
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Well, I don't see why Idaho should get 70F when we've had no better than 55F so far. There is no snow on the ground and this snow that is blowing around is not landing anywhere that I can see, but from time to time it looks like a blizzard out there. Then it clears up, the sun comes out, then it's blizzard again. Unfortunately, this is typical Vermont spring weather. Alas. Sigh. Whine.
Off now to see what atheists have for Easter dinner. Into the blizzard! Charge!
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230 Pub. how about .You have the rights to ghost write my Bio. (Ie make up whatever.)
looks good I'll have to figure out the codes again.
Damn where did I leave them.;)
I suspect you would use some ALCHEMY to find me .;)
"Born in the Patagonia wilds, my first encounter with malleable metals was from the wreckage of a DC-3 that had wandered far off course from Acapulco while carrying bales of some kind of strange yak fodder. An encounter that changed my life path...some time later ....I was the CEO of a junk bond printing company until the day I lit a cigarette with my zippo lighter, then began heating the straightened end of a paperclip in the flame. The red glow of the metal singed my fingers. The paperclip fell to my desk and started smoldering. I began banging it with a stapler. An image started forming in the glowing metal. It was.."
.an image from the past in Patagonia.
the opportunity to have a convenient smoke hood right there all day long at work.
( I probably will use this ) hell why not sounds great.
239 Time. He's British.
Of course.
Nice yesterday here but a bit cold today. 60 f
I tried to link to some of that plunger talk but it seems that was somehow off topic. though seriously good plunger work.
look at these bathroom plungers two together do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyTnFQd9W_A
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seanspa & happylaze
Canadians complain about the weather constantly, but I would not recommend someone move here just because we had three nice days strung together. "Pay no attention to the last 90!!" Before you know it we will be complaining about the heat. And in Montreal it can get Hot! Daammn hot!
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Ref 243 happylaze
Hey! Those piece together quite well (in a gonzo sort of way). This will be my first time as an eghost. Didn't even need to use my shaman powers.
Now you're going to have to remember your codes.
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To Timewaitsfornoman and Publiusdetroit
I just checked this thread again and I ask:
Are you laughing at me? It does not matter, I am accustomed to that. I do have a wheel and a kiln and clay! I will design my bread stones with vertical handles so I do not have to deal with the primitive apparatus you have described (a "peel?") I think my design will suit me quite well.
I was an art teacher for many years. Clay, was and is, my primary medium and I still make a few things now and again for my family. I also paint a little for my own pleasure. I do not spend all my time in the garden and kitchen!
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lol pub . I thought they went together well, and I 've never been exactly sure of the gonzo thing so I'm not sure about that . problem is those codes will take more than the usual altitude adjustments.
time I'm dreading the summer days here.
100f + by a forge is not a nice day.
forges make winter bearable .
Aqua the pee l is useful for serving on. if you cut the pizza on the stone(opps always pizza with me) the oil sinks into the stone and smells when heated.(smells the whole house up).
so if you cook pizza on yours then remember to take it off before cooking.
.Hell why worry if you're making your own.
make em disposable.;)lol.
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Ref 246 aquarizonagal
I would never laugh at you; but I do enjoy laughing with you. I am very certain timewaitsfornoman will agree with me when I say that you are a delightful person I hold in high admiration. If I had skills on a pottery wheel, I would not have had to buy my baking stone.
I have had success with making, what I think it called, rope-style pottery. I've done this in the wilderness. My highest level of skill achieved on a pottery wheel was a leaky bowl that my mother used for keeping loose change.
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243. Happy.
It was originally "plongeur", from Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell. The first part of the book is about his experience working in a restaurant in Paris. A plongeur (literally, a diver) is what might be referred to in English as a Go-Fer, except that a go-fer would be paid better and treated with infinitely more respect. Whenever anything is required, the "plongeur" is expected to dive into the kitchen (or the cellers, or wherever) to find it, do it, fix it. It is a mix between a scullery maid, a dogsbody, Manuel from Fawlty Towers, and Jean Valjean chained to a rowing bench in a galley. Orwell's description depicts it as very little better than slavery, done to avoid starvation.
It was this experience, and the even worse experience living as a tramp in England that began the ruination of Orwell's health, and which eventually led to his early death. A bullet through the throat in Spain didn't help, either.
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Ref 247 happylaze
The "gonzo" writing style is nothing more than running with an off-beat idea. Having fun with the seemingly illogical. Playing with the toys in ones attic. Something some editors (and Mods) are apt...to reject the inane prose. Mark Twain was considered "gonzo" in his day; though the word is from the 60's.
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250 lol Pub . First place prize of on croaker goes to Publiusdetroit.
and lol would that make me gonzo then. my posts seem to fit that description, well bits anyway.
I'm with you on the making them stones I wish I could.I'd make a really big one that was square.
Interested.
lol Thanks .
My attitude to the "literary greats" has led some to call me a philistine , (but then I don't like damian hirst or the opera either so I must be).
I was just trying to show some good diabolo skills. A much underrated toy.
Common through out the european continent and the UK it is uncommon in the UK where devil sticks and juggling clubs are so popular.
Just some entertainment for the easter hols.
Check out the ryo guy on the Utube as well . really bad vid but really amazing show.
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aquarizonagal
Laughing at you? Certainly not!! It was an indication of my admiration for you. Of what I know there seems little you cannot do. So it came as no surprise that you would be able to make your own bread stone. My apologies if it caused you any offence.
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bere, I withdraw my suggestion that you move to Idaho to escape the snow. It is forecast for tomorrow. Whoopee.
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Ref 249 Interestedforeigner
Thanks for supplying the correct word "plongeur", and description. I was certain my spelling was incorrect, but was unwilling to pull the book off the shelf to get it right.
I chose to live among the urban homeless once when I was young. Wanted to see if I could survive in an urban environment as well as I can survive in the wilderness. I would rather be in a survival experience on the most arid desert; a wilderness filled with fearful creatures; or on a sub-artic shield in winter, then have to survive the urban jungle again.
Later, when I read Orwell's story; it scared me. It still does. I knew he was not making it up.
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253, seanspa -
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Our blizzard has stopped and it never did stick but it's not supposed to be particularly warm tomorrow. Temp between 17 and 25(F) predicted overnight. Our village is having it's big outdoor festival on Saturday so I sure hope it warms up by then. Maybe your forecast will be turn out to be wrong. I used to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and I know that it's really spring down there now. I do miss a warm, green April.
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Ref 251 happylaze
That's why I love you, mate! No. It does not make you gonzo. You attained the title long ago!:-D You've only met a fellow member of the club. The world is a much more entertaining place when you look at it from many sides. Even the dark side. But I'm preaching to the choir. You already know that.
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seanspa
"withdraw my suggestion"
Not to worry, I don't think bere was going to take it! Here's an idea, we have had three nice days in a row, why don't you all move here? No snow, hasn't been any on the ground for weeks and none in the forecast. Of course now that I have said it, it will snow. I don't know how long you have lived in Idaho, but obviously have not learnt that it is unwise to mention it. Sshhh the snow can hear you!
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Ref 255 bere54
Which reminds me. We have not heard from the kitchen band in a while.
Blueridge Mountains take me home.
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publiusdetroit
I think it would be a great idea if you wrote happylaze's bio. Certainly would generate interest in his site! "Is this for real? Who is this guy? Must check him out." Then perhaps buy or commission something.
"Must generate interest, must generate interest." How many times have I heard that in this household of site owners, bloggers, twitter-ers? Untold. Even I have a site!! I have not used in years, but googled "my name and Montreal" and was shocked to see myself first on the list!! Maybe I should sell his work on my site!
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Ref 259 timewaitsfornoman
Happy and I are already following that yellow-brick road. We're not in Kansas anymore;-0 Let me see. So far we have the Tinman and the Scarecrow. Where's Dorothy? How will we ever find Oz without her?
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publiusdetroit
If happylaze is the tinman (I'm guessing), you must be the Scarecrow (because....? you'd rather be brainless than heartless?). Not sure if I could live up to being a Dorothy (even though I do have red shoes), nor do I like to think of myself as being without courage so, could I be Toto? If not, I'll be one of the good witches. The pretty one, with the nice dress and wand.
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Ref 255 bere54
The Blue Ridge Mountains are an example of why, as much as I love to travel, I have never been outside of North America. Have planned many trips overseas, but I've had too much fun traveling in the States, Canada, and Mexico. I've always discovered so many interesting places and people by being inspired, at a very early age, by Mark Twain, Roughing It; John Steinbeck in his Travels With Charlie; and William Least Heat-moon with Blue Highway.
I like my road trips where I get to talk to people. They get as excited as I when they tell me of some, obscure thing I should see. Or a certain person it would be well worth my time to seek out and visit.
Then there's always the "fun" of being "lost". My father does that all the time. We call it, "Barking at the moon.". He would say, "Let's go bark at the moon." That always meant an adventure. It could mean anything from a walk in the neighborhood, to a long drive in the automobile. Either way; it always meant finding some one or something interesting.
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Ref 261 timewaitsfornoman
Big LOL!!
I should preface this by stating that, throughout my childhood, once a year a regional television station would broadcast the Wizard of Oz. My mother would make a huge bowl of popcorn and us kids got to stay up past bedtime to watch the movie on black and white television. It was a big event since we had no movie theater for many miles. Mom would always remind us that once they reached OZ, everything turned to techicolor. We were left with our imagination (and her rememberance) to add the colors.
Of course the Tinman is Happy. Just because he has an intimate knowledge and skill with metals. I'm the Scarecrow, because I'm still looking for a brain.
Anyway; I'm sure you'll make a great Glinda! But, you have already stepped into the house that leads to the yellow-brick road. Your role as Dorothy came to mind because you stepped through the door into a technicolor world, and have yet to talk to the Tinman. If you talk to him, he'll talk back.
We're not in Kansas anymore!
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publiusdetroit
You have never been outside of North America? I find that hard to believe. Not that I am a world traveller but have many great memories of trips to other countries. There are so many interesting characters out there. If you like to drive and get lost, no problem, easily done even without meaning to. Or take the train, you will meet all types. Fly to Paris and take the train to London. I don't think you truly understand what you are missing. The first sight of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral or Westminster Abbey. Go to Stonehenge, I was there when you could still walk amongst the stones, now I believe it is cordoned off, but even so. Go to Ireland, the Irish love to talk! And give incredibly bad directions, you will be lost all the time! Their standard answer, "I wouldn't try to get there from here."!! Now... how could you not love an answer like that?
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publiusdetroit
Do you mean that literally? If so, I have thought of it, but am still hiding behind the curtain. I am, I like to think brave, but an extremely cautious person. This is not like Oz, I could never go home again (behind the curtain).
You watched The Wizard of Oz without the techicolour? Talk about a deprived childhood!
P.S. I've never been to Kansas! Flew over it once and if memory serves me right they were not allowed to serve drinks. Could that possibly be true?
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To#252 Timewaitsfornoman
I am so sorry no apologies are necessary. I was teasing you and
Publiusdetroit.
I never cared for The Wizard of OZ. I think that you would be a great super hero with a cape and some really fancy boots. Would you not like that better?
I think that Happylaze is our sacred clown, the coyote trickster who holds us accountable to speak our truth and be challenged.
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Lol Pub I feel like an Egg at easter.;) Cheep.
Time I'm not shy. took me years to figure that out. Stonedhenge is cordoned off now. but you can walk around better than a few years ago when it was a very stand-offish experience"had to keep the bleeding hippies away you know , what"
""I wouldn't try to get there from here. but if you did,,,well,,,, , what are you driving. OH well if your driving one of those you won't get by the gate at the end of Penny come quick so I'd start in Totnes"
that's the way in Devon as well. they say it to all the tourists. the local schools teach the line to 6 year olds.;)
At the same time as telling them that in the old days the signs were changed for the germans should they drop by.
and some signs keep finding they are magnetically attracted to the wrong town and the local kids are innocent.
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To#248 Publiusdetroit
I think that you know I was teasing you and Timewaitsfornoman.
I am thinking that you cannot be the wizard because he was a sham and I think that you may be a true Shaman.
I never liked that book nor the state of Kansas.
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Ref 264 timewaitsfornoman
All those places you mention are of very much interest to me. I have learned through my meandering that people are the common denominator. Treat them well; they treat you well. There are always exceptions to a rule. But; those few can be ignored.
My traveling limitations have all come down to time, and opportunity. Money is of some consequence, but not too limiting a problem. I have found little towns in the States where English is a second language. Almost an unknown language. There was a place in Kansas where everyone spoke German as the primary language. They had also developed a language of their own. Of course, Quebec was a real immersion into a world where my high school French was amusing to the people. Cajuns down in Louisiana speak a unigue French. You have Newfie blood. Can that really be called "English" they speak?
There are just so many places to see, and people to meet. Time. I wish I live so long as my desires.
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oopps I think the kitchen is the front room.
I think the house must be spinning.
no probs that's OZ for us.
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aqua can I wear the fancy red boots please.
I've never been to Kansas but have to admit. I doubt I will.
Time . It's OK you come out when you're comfortable.
OZ I wish I had one.
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I never liked that book nor the state of Kansas.
They wrote a book of that film.
wow I couldn't see it translating to the folding screen.
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oopps I think the kitchen is the front room.
I think the house must be spinning.
no probs that's OZ for us.
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Now Pub you have made it abroad. you got to canada right?
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aquarizonagal
"I was teasing"
Oh good, I really would not like to think that I had offended you.
"I never liked that book nor the state of Kansas." I find this very amusing. As I said, I have never been to Kansas, so do not like nor dislike it! The Wizard of Oz was never my favourite movie. I grew up with a Mother who did not like Judy Garland, so naturally was biased against her.
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To Happylaze
You may wear red boots or anything else that you wish. As for The Wizard Of Oz, I read the book first before I saw the movie. I did not like either one and you REALLY would not like Kansas. Please trust me on this.
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my travelling limitation is giving me crap now.
"why don't you grab my head and give both ears a rub"
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happylaze
Actually was only told that once. The other times, even at the hotel front desk, just a confusion of; "second traffic light, first stop sign, no second, well don't count that one, turn third left, ignore lane not counted as a "left", barn - not the red one." I'd be left asking, "Do any of these roads have names?" The City of Dublin does not appear to own a single map. But I did love Ireland.
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Lol Aqua .I trust you on many other things as well. I suspect you are correct about Kansas.
If I were to visit I would prefer to have a helicopter ready for immediate extraction.
I see it is called the sunflower state.or the jayhawk state.
is a jay some sort of chicken?
;)
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Justin Webb has returned with a new blog and I am still posting here.
Why?
I have become accustomed to piffling and friviling and I do so enjoy you other pifflers and frivilers. The Wizard of OZ may be more than I can handle so I say: Bless you, my children, peace attend thee all through this night.
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aquarizonagal
I have never had any desire to go to Kansas, so will take your word for it. I promise to do everything within my power not to go.
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I was just thinking of heading to bed; but this party is too good.
Aquagal, you're right. Happy is the trickster coyote. And I'll agree that those who have not been to Kansas are not missing much. The people still have a hangover from that "Bleeding Kansas" reputation leading into the War Between the States. I have gone back because I met some good people.
Timewaitsfornoman
Yes. Literally. I agree with you that Happy has a great skill and talent that needs a good boost. I am pleased to give him my talents in hope he attracts a larger market. He just reminds me too much of my brother. I've given my brother the shirt off my back just to watch him make something of it, as only he can; and has:-)
I admire your caution. I had been cautious of social connections made on the internet until my son came to live with me. I have watched him having a grand time "chatting" on the internet with people he only knows through that means; and texting on his cellphone to those who have become more intimate, only to be interrupted by an incoming call from some local friends. He inspired me to become socially involved on the internet. Exercising due care; I've not been sorry for taking the leap.
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Prior to the War Between the States, Kansas Territory was making a bid to become a state. At that time whether a state came into the Union as a slave state, or a free state was decided by a majority vote of the people of the territory at the time of statehood.
Abolitionists and slaveholders alike rushed immigrants to the territory to gain a majority with deadly results. Towns were burnt to the ground. People killed. Each side as passionate and cruel as the other. A prelude to the terribly bloody war that followed.
Bleeding Kansas.
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281
I'll jump on that bandwagon.
Never had an urge to go somewhere where they drop houses on people. sounds cruel.
but you can follow the yellow brick road safely.
I here tin man don't bite.
280 Why?
cause the other one . If it ever gets it's legs under it is going to get side tracked down a path I can't be bothered with for the meantime.
oh and to briefly touch on the blue mosque.
I bet all that have visited have the same picture from one of the gates going in.
Mine was great, but the same as the one in the national Geo I found out later.and the postcards.
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lol pub.
is it your cousin that is a smith?
and what state is he in.
RE contact via the net. Impossible we all know that.
but if it were possible then I see no harm either.
I'm old and ugly enough that I can see no harm out of it.
I've played online shooters with all sorts and spoken with them. found out interesting things. Found I can do that thing that I am not good at.
Being polite to people.
Or else they would shoot me.;)
Pub like I say if you're heading west and going through Oregon get in touch.
follow the yellow crumb cake road.mmmmm with Vanilla Icecream.mmm simple can be best.
Throwing a line out for Sam, I'm planning a "chastity cage" for Ben and Jerry's Icecream.
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283 uuuggh not very nice really.
Tomorrow I will begin the quest for the codes.and then the Bio with the disclaimer can start.(of course this will take me some daze.
G night all . And Pub mate. well done. When we meet you have a frog.
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When did this kind of thread drift on BBC blogs become acceptable?
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287: What do you mean 'drift'? It's evolution. Democratically organised :-)
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267. At 05:28am on 13 Apr 2009, happylaze wrote:
" in the old days the signs were changed for the germans should they drop by.
and some signs keep finding they are magnetically attracted to the wrong town and the local kids are innocent."
Of course they are. (Never did that sort of thing. Anyway, the spoilsports in the Highways Agency started putting up those big metal ones you can't turn round as easily. Oops.)
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289 "ThEY DIDn'T??" ohh the rotters. Still Glad to see that you learned your lesson.... perseverance.
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Jordan.
Did you see the topic?
I could go on about the inferior Boeing planes as a sign of the problems rampant in the USA.
A perfect example of how projectionist America is. How state subsidised industries are all over (boeing) America so why not subsidise a better car industry.
That Boeing did not pay as much attention to fuel efficiency and still make gas guzzlers compared to the offerings of Airbus.
That several american made planes have dropped out of the sky without even a flock of geese in the area, and are you sure you want to fly on one.
Or question if they have life rafts on that plane because there may not be enough. (like on the Hudson where that airbus was successfully landed.
I've already suggested that Justins earlier web posting was seen by the security folk and the grounded the plane to show the pesky reporters that "keep this quiet " means "keep this quiet,so quiet that you tell no one."
No one is into that conspiracy.
I mentioned some alternative hosteling might be available to the Brit contingent at the Local consulate. (though they might be in the wrong bubble and the consulate is on the wrong side of the City. (the side with a view of all the city) designed by the guy that designed the houses of Parliament.
Personally I like the frogs , eater head hunts and the peculiar ways of entertaining tourists found in some parts of rural UK.
And spuds
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Well, I guess here in Vermont we don't have a monopoly on "you can't there from here," though mostly you can't. There's big mountains in the way. Always have to go somewhere else not on the way first to get "there." They give strange directions here: "Turn left at the huge oak tree." Then after you're completely lost, you find out the oak was knocked down by lightning 20 years ago. Or the big red barn fell down long before you were told to turn right there. You're just supposed to know.
A few years ago we had a Homeland Security-funded disaster drill here. The newspaper said it would held at the "former such-and-such building." Well, I wanted to know, what is the building called now? Where is it? We were just supposed to know this.
A lot of the intersections (like a main one in town) don't have stop signs. You're just supposed to know when you don't have the right of way. It's amazing that as long as I've been here, there's never been an accident at the one in town. Usually it's on the country dirt roads where they don't bother to put signs.
I've driven through Kansas. Several times, unfortunately. It's one of those places that once you're in it you feel like you are never going to reach the other side.
I don't understand how you guys manage to stay up so late. I can't, and I guess it has something to do with the dieting cat rousting me out of bed at 6:00 a.m.
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I think someone should ask Justin to set up a North American blog for the chit-chatters. In that way we will not bother the others who might waste their time reading our talk in the hopes we are saying something noteworthy. happylaze, you ask Justin. I'm sure he hangs on your every word and would be more than "happy" to accommodate us.
I find this exchange educational and informative. How else would we be meeting and communicating with such a diverse group otherwise? If we are not interested in answering a question or getting involved in a discussion, we simply ignore it. Hard to do in person.
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Lol Bere as to up so late.
Up early as well.
lol;)
CATS
They did a study in the netherlands and I'm not sure but I think some towns accepted the taking down of road signs in town. They made the rule. "If you hit someone you are in DEEP truly." And accidents reduced because people Knew there were no rules saying stop here and if you proceed make sure it is clear. So they made sure it was clear.
Amazing.;)
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293 lol time .
all that name calling and accusations of being a righty wanna be citizen , do anything for a green card talk is just what he loves in the morning.
I actually wonder if he reads this at all.
I mean no worries fair nuff. I wouldn't either if it was part of my job.;)
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happylaze
Does #295 mean you are not going to ask? Could you suggest someone he might listen to?
The sweetener - tell him we don't expect him to read it.
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bere54
We noticed the disaster routes marked in the US. I guess you have to live in the area to know exactly what it is you are escaping from and why turning in that direction would be a help.
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296 I had a nice posting in reply but went for a link and the program crashed.
I love the techiess that create a world where by even a simple safari turns into a lost land adventure.
So useful that sort of progress.
Just wonderful.
So rewarding .
But then they are richer than me so they must be right.
That is why I care little for the net web and the modern way.
I'll say this about the blog.
I find it funny that the drug issue which is at the root of so much violence. An american prohibition mentality given to the world.
One that causes so much resentment.
Costs lives. american and others.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7996482.stm
also mexico. anywhere just look.
taking away lively hoods that have been there for centuries, just to please some old people who don't even know what they are talking about. (ie they think Drugd and think Hard)
eradication programs don't work as well as just saying.
"that stuff should be legal. so lets do it."
The Guardian did it to the UK. Got the debate out there. taken seriously. not derided as being below the level of the all high on power and mighty people running things.
This is a huge question. Millions tried to ask Obama about it.
But it is beneath the almighty BBC and the main stream media.
They have better things to do than look at the roots of problems. There are headlines to be ignored.
And if someone with some Booze gets arrested in Saudi there is an outcry in the UK about how stupid. Then they maintain a total ban on discussions on how so many tribes got so annoyed with the USA.
They got annoyed (being polite) when the DEA sponsored troops turned up and wiped out their nest eggs.
They grew for years and years. then were told to stop. "grow lettuces" ( I heard a DEA official telling the S american farmer that once in this Documentary . What a laugh. Water intensive and hard to take to market.
Coca leaves get 2 crops a year and get to market easy. Bolivia tries to legalise it and America gets all feisty with them.
PAthetic war to create wars.
Most of Afghanistan would be happy to be able to grow again. and have a market. reliable.
(but we say "grow heroin")
but this post will probably be modded anyway, and the topic will not be raised.
but we will have a bunch of posts all on the same topic.
Boeings have rubbish Captains seats. (which may well have been made in the UK where much of the interior fittings of Boeings are made.
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To Happylaze
Your post did not get censored by the PTBs!
I mostly agree with everything you said. Our current problems with Mexico are being fueled by both drug traffic and illegal arms. It goes both ways across the border. A border that is impossible to police. Paranoia over illegal immigration adds gasoline to the fire.
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lol aqua. Paranoia is the word. funny how some say it is those smoking pot that are paranoid.
When they actually do have something to fear.
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happylaze
I sympathize and agree. Canada is under similar pressure. But you know, as I am not "one of them" like to keep my opinions to myself. Do not like it if non-Canadians bash Canada (where is Robocop btw- sure to turn up now bashing ME). Constructive criticism I can handle. I am entitled to do so, as you are the US. That is why I love reading your posts.
I really do agree with you. There are serious forces at work here. I am a conspiracy theorist "au but" (basically, to the end) as they say here. Interestedforeigner will correct me on that one!
But.... technology is the future whether you like it or not and a means for you to make money. Although I have often fantasized about living on an Island where they have never even heard the word "paper."
aquarizonagal
American guns are becoming a problem in Canada also. Generally we do not have guns. What would I do with one?
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Ref 292 bere54
Most all my life I've been a 4 hour sleeper. It worried my mother when I was a child. Nothing she could do to change it. I would sit up reading with a flashlight from the time I learned to read. She took away my flashlight. I read by the glow from the light in the farmyard. She took her concerns to the family doctor, noting that I was awake and active in school; always got my chores done; didn't cat-nap through the day. He told her that I just had an odd sleep cycle, not to worry.
Since my late 40's, I've found I need 5-6 hours sleep now. I still go out like a light, when it's time. Get up refreshed and ready for the day. Always been a nightowl.
I've also thought that was fortunate. I got in lots of reading through the years.
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publiusdetroit
Something in common with Churchill.
Talking about the UK....! I understand how it could happen you did not "get around" to leaving N.A. Getting in the car and driving is so much easier to organize, as we did to SC. Preparations for air travel seemed like too much trouble. But... once you are committed, it is only a question of one step after another. I come from a family of travellers and realized in my early twenties all had been to more places than I (even my younger sisters), so I became "hell bent and determined." Have not regretted a single trip.
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302, publius -
When my son was an infant he never seemed to sleep. He was our first and we thought babies were supposed to nap at least some of the time, especially if they were awake half the night. I discussed this with our (British, as it happened) pediatrician. After a thorough examination of baby, he wrote his diagnosis in the chart: "Parents need more sleep than baby."
Of course, once this child reached an age where he could be awake without adult supervision, he slept all the time!
I don't really sleep all that much but my brain fogs over by 10:00 p.m. and I can't function. Of course, some of you are in earlier time zones (and some in later zones). I used to be able to sit up reading half the night, but now I can't keep my eyes open. Until I lay down to sleep, that is! And often whatever I've read late at night I can't remember and have to re-read it next day. Is this age-related, I wonder? I'm not that old yet!
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Ref 303 timewaitsfornoman
Being a backpacker I travel light. Airline travel is a breeze for me. My oldest sister has been the foreign (outside N.A.) traveler of the family. I've had many friends and acquaintances who travel around the world. They all bring back wonderful stories of exotic places that interest me. I have had a passport for years.
Just keep coming up with another place to see in N.A. It's so vast. There are always more mountains to climb; or a river to canoe; a trail to trek (I have hiked almost all of the Bruce Trail on the Niagra Escarpment), or getting to the desert in springtime to watch the bloom.
I do have a passion for Iceland. I will get there someday.
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"This is a huge question. Millions tried to ask Obama about it.
But it is beneath the almighty BBC and the main stream media."
I should add here that it was apparently also too distracting to Obama. seeing as I wrote this without including the latest head in the sand on this issue.
Time lol I am not the US.
I am in the US. and have been brought up to respect it.(by mum and Dad) . I have know americans as Family, not tourists. shown them around london etc.
I have this strange thing about respect.
i think showing respect for unrespectable behaviour is disrespect.
if I did move up north then I suspect I would get a little disrespectful of some of the stuff up there.
I hear they still have issues with their first inhabitants.
lets say.
As to travel. I've had enough.When I do travel I tend to prefer to have the option available to say " this is nice I think I will stay" problem there is Immigration laws most of the time.
Moving a smithy no matter how small and ill equipped is no easy task.
I still have two anvils and a leg vice in the UK.
Note the word Vice.
here's an anglo american difference.
A Vice in the workshop and the kinky vices are spelled the same way in the UK. where as in the USA there is an s in workshop vise. and a c in the kinky behaviour vice.
Anyway either way As the poster says"A blacksmith cannot have to many vices"
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lol Pub My thing with travel is I would prefer to take the slow boat.
except I'm sure I would end up sea sick.
Any way as the dwarves said.
"High ho.. High Ho..... High ho, high ho ,It's off to work I go. with a bucket and spade and a hand granade , high ho , high ho, high ho"
I'd be dopey obviously
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bere54
Our eldest son was the same. Seemed he never slept, cap-napped during the day, devoted to his mother. That would be me!! 24hrs/day for two years, thought I would lose it! He is still devoted to (okay; really fond of, think we could go as far as saying loves) his mother which is rewarding. As for when and how much he sleeps? Not my problem.
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happylaze
I did not mean you are the US, but as you are entitled in the US. If you were, boy would you have a lot to answer for!!
If you lived here I believe you would be entitled to your say. Native issues are different all across the country, so cannot comment on what is happening on the west coast. publiusdetroit probably knows more than I. But the "Six Nations of the Iroquois" and the Cree (the natives who live in this part of the world) are not push overs and well able to defend themselves! Do you agree with that (why don't I just call you Detroit?) Detroit?
We spell vice with a "c" as we do most British/English words, so your poster would make sense here.
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#305, publius, I know that many in europe look down on americans for their 'lack of travel'. What they don't get is how vast NA is. Blimey, many of the individual states are vast. The scenery and the people vary hugely. You have to be over here to understand that many folk here are not insular, they are continental. OK, some never leave their state. The same could be said for some in the UK not leaving their county.
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To#305 Publiusdetroit
I agree with you about the Americas, both North and South but if you ever get the chance, you should visit Africa. We have spent considerable time in several countries there. Despite politics and poverty, our experiences were extra-ordinary. When I stood at the very tip of the Southern Cape where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet, I admit I cried at the beauty and at my privilege to be granted such an experience in this life.
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I think that sleep is highly over-rated. I have never slept a lot. I do like dreaming but I can do that when I am awake.
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timewaits - "devoted to his mother. That would be me!! 24hrs/day for two years"
So familiar! I had to forcibly wean my son when he was two; he was so annoyed but I needed a break! My daughter weaned herself at 18 mos. and I thought she didn't love me. She slept through the night, took long naps, when I told her it was time for a nap or bedtime she would say, "Okay, Mommy." I don't think her brother said "Okay, Mommy" about anything until he was old enough to be saying "It's all good, Mom."
I've done so many road trips around this country that I'm travelled out and these days leaving Vermont (except to go to Canada) scares me because there's just too much damned traffic out there. And I don't think I'd get on a plane unless it was a matter of life or death. Everything I hear these days about flying sounds just dreadful. I would like to sail to England some day, but will never be able to afford it.
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aquarizonagal -
I wish I could do without sleep. But at a certain point I feel like I've been drugged and can't think straight and even have trouble talking. This usually occurs at about 9:00 p.m., so embarrassing. I am not the life of any party! And I tend to be sleepy all day long. I must have been a cat in a former life and have never adjusted to this human existence.
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Oh, I went to kansas, once. In the late 70s we drove from the SF bay area to eastern kansas, through denver, and returned via the grand canyon and LaLa land. Kansas was unbearably hot in the summer. It was very flat, and there was crazy golf nearby. Maybe that's all there was there. At 48 my memory for these things is terrible, but then it's always been bad.
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bere54
"never be able to afford it"
Now, never say never. Perhaps your Scotsman will take you.
"Kansas" I have never even been near Kansas. Closest I guess would be New Orleans and I don't suppose that could be called "close." Montana, Las Vegas, Chicago - best I can do. I changed planes in Cincinnati once, to be told I was in Kentucky not Ohio. Does that count?
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Kansas -
The real show is in the sky; the rest is just bleachers. Except, to the locals, the interesting part is also in the micro-climates and nooks and crannies of hedgerows, streambeds, grasses, native birds, and other denizens human and animal, and how they interrelate and react as the seasons pass over your peculiar quarter-section or two. Right now, for example, we are in a late, cold spring. The robins are out, but the ground is still cold. I suspect the same appeal applies if you care to look, in other places.
Publius D has it right about our history - social activists and abolitionists fought it out with Johnny Reb types for control of the state just before the Civil War, and the truth is that these two groups are still discernable and are still fighting here, 150 years later. We fight over abortion, school funding, the right to carry, own, or conceal handguns, to smoke or not to smoke in public places - but also over whether Johnny must park his pick-up between the lines in the parking lot at city hall.
Kansas is one of those quiet, decent, mostly orderly places where most folks are left alone - and which is quietly grateful for being left alone by the swirling maelstrom around it. In that, the movie is correct enough - Dorothy's simple virtues are more than adequate to persevere through the manifest evils as well as the deliberate phoniness of OZ, to identify lasting goodness where it exists and find a way home. Whatever Ms Garland may have done with her life thereafter.
KScurmudgeon
escaped from LaLaland as soon as I was able
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I've been to Kansas, which happens to be the birthplace of my father. I liked Kansas, and every other state I've been to, which is most of them. I share Woodie Guthrie's point of view:
http://www.woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/This_Land.htm
In the United States, we are Americans first.
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To Bere54
Travel abroad does not have to be expensive, think: Peace Corp, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, WHO, Elder Partners, and various other organizations who can provide the travel experiences of a lifetime. I admit that many destinations, while often exotic are not luxurious, but you will meet incredible people and have experiences with which to entertain your grandchildren and your 'greats' on snowy evenings.
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timewaits -
No. It doesn't count. The only way to experience Kansas is to be there. And you don't want to experience it. So don't go there.
Although many years ago a nice shop owner in Lawrence, KS, gave me a free pencil that was engraved "Lawrence, Kansas." I cherished it. But you still don't want to go there. They're probably out of pencils.
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I meant "Woody" Guthrie, of course.
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We all do love our own little piece of earth.
As it happens, my dear one was also born in Kansas. I still do not care for Kansas. Perhaps that was the fault of my late mother-in-law. My dear one has always said that, at eighteen he leaped over the furrows of the wheat fields, heading Southwest and never looked back.
I met Woody Guthrie once but that it is a tale for a long winter evening.
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Lol Kansas. seems it would be too political for me.
310 Sean I have to agree it is a big place. And all over there are less savoury people.
It is a fun experience not having any clue about most of whats going on. not knowing the language and enjoying the strangeness of strange places.
It is harder when the views are the strangest thing about people.
But it is a big place that is for sure.
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seanspa
It just occurred to me that the friend I went to visit, the only time I was in Idaho, was from Kansas. He left as soon as he was able and came to Montreal to study. Then was talked into going to Montana by some of his Kansas/Missoura (as they pronounced it) friends to "get back to the earth." I went to visit him there on my way to Vancouver. He and I made that desperate drive through the Rockies. I guess getting back to the earth was not for him as he now lives in Vancouver.
A friend of his from a wealthy Kansas family also attended school in Montreal. She called her parents to tell them not to worry she had found an apartment right across the street from the American Embassy. As this was during the Vietnam era, her parents told her, "Move!!"
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To happylaze
I have been to several places where I did not know the language but felt most comfortable with the people. On the other hand, I have sometimes felt as a stranger in a strange land in my own country.
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287. Jordan D wrote:
When did this kind of thread drift on BBC blogs become acceptable?
Good point.
288. british-ish wrote:
287: What do you mean 'drift'? It's evolution. Democratically organised :-)
Right, except when it's a subject you don't like.
293. timewaitsfornoman wrote:
I think someone should ask Justin to set up a North American blog for the chit-chatters. In that way we will not bother the others who might waste their time reading our talk in the hopes we are saying something noteworthy.
Good suggestion. But I have one reservation: why should the BBC set up private chat sites for people?
318. Gary_A_Hill,
Thanks for your vote of confidence a few days ago.
(Carry on chatting, people. Eventually there'll just be the chit-chatters left on this site, but I have no objections to that. Live and let live.)
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TT, I would suggest that it is those who hammer away at the same message on each and every thread (on topic meaning their one and only topic) who are driving people away. Those of us who stay to chatter do so because we've actually found common ground and we enjoy engaging with different people from different backgrounds in different countries with different beliefs. If only there was an organisation running a blog whose motto was something like 'Nation shall speak unto Nation'. That's what we need.
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I do not feel like posting on the other thread, so will defend the French here. I live in the second largest French speaking city in the world. Although they can, from time to time, be difficult to deal with (from our point of view) they are a joy to live amongst. One of the main reasons it is hard to leave Montreal. The Joie de vivre, restaurants, fashion, culture, two cheek kiss, (should I meet any of you prepare yourselves), etc. Unfortunately they do not speak French as they do in France so it is not as lyrical. And bloody difficult (for me!) to understand. Every time I go to France I'm delighted to find out I do understand French after all!
If we go west, (my apologies to any Canadians west of Quebec) everything seems so "white bread." The Maritimers on the other hand....
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Who let the riffraff in? Somebody left the door open.
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326. At 10:52pm on 13 Apr 2009, TrueToo wrote:
You genuinely do think people are bothered about what you think.
As an example of the "Israel is always right" briigade your views are interesting as a demonstration that even in 2009 some people hold 19th century (and opre 19th) prejudices.
But otherwise.
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320. At 8:42pm on 13 Apr 2009, bere54 wrote:
timewaits -
No. It doesn't count. The only way to experience Kansas is to be there."
Alternatively you could read the early chapters of the "Wizard of OZ". Having done so any desire to visit Kansas soon dissapears, like the Wicked Witch of the West
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326 TrueToo
"why should the BBC set up private chat sites for people?"
You would have to ask the BBC. They already have. They could do the same for North America.
If you read my post, you would know I ask so as not to bother others. You apparently being one.
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331 Simon21
"early chapters"
Thanks for the advice. Now that you mention it, I might have tried many moons ago. Do not recall finishing it, so guess I never got out of Kansas! Well, only by closing the book.
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To#328 Timewaitsfornoman
I love the French language and when we lived in Louisiana, I though that I would understand Cajun. I did not! However, the people, the food and the culture were delightful.
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332, timewaits -
I could use a nice warm beach right now. Could it be closed to riffraff?
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I would ask a question of those who are irritated with some of the posts on this thread. What is so terrible with sharing food, ideas, dreams, even silly jokes?
Many of us may not be able to travel as widely as we would like and learning about others here is valuable to us and helps us understand each other. We are a community, would you join us even for a little while? All the pain, misery and political discourse in the world will not disappear. You may always return to it.
After all, Justin Webb himself, left us all to our own devices for many days. It is his blog and he has not yet sent us to the naughty corner.
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334 chere aquarizonagal
I have been to many cities in the US (none in Arizona) but think New Orleans is my favourite. Although I was expecting it, was surprised by the amount of French still spoken. The French are passionate people and it shows. Everybody hugs and kisses here. It is very natural and no one thinks twice. When, without thinking, I greet someone not from Quebec with a hug and two cheek kiss, I find myself hugging a board!
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bere54
Well naturally it would have to have rules. No swimming after dark, etc.
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To#327 Seanspa
"Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation"
I love that. Could we form a blog? Do you think this could lead to no more wars and no more ideological stupidity? If we could all share virtual bread and salt and speak our truths, could we come to understanding and tolerance, even liking for each other? Maybe a little wine might also help.
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aquarizonagal & seanspa
"Nation Shall Speak unto Nation"
Is an excellent idea. We do need some other nationalities, cultures, and religions to make it a more meaning experience. Not arguing or throwing insults at each other but talking and listening. We would all be better for it. But, this is a start. I now know many wonderful people I had not met a few months ago.
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To Happlaze where ever you are,
Even paranoid people need love and tin foil. I have a bumper sticker that reads,
BUCKLE UP: It Makes It Harder For Aliens To Suck You Out Of Your Car.
I am finished on this thread. Have fun!
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Although an insignificant number who stumble into the kitchen party have found it trivial, I notice that the number of posters who keep coming back to add their postings are growing.
The kitchen party always tries to use a thread that has gone inactive for some period of time as not to inconvience any of the active topics. As noted by others; those posting in the kitchen party bring humor, treat one another with respect, offer interesting stories and ideas, some videos, and even some music.
Are we really harming anyone?
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publius -
No, we are not harming anyone. Please, put a guard on that door!
Aqua's mention of bumper stickers reminds me of the kitchen magnet I recently gave my daughter, to wit: "NATIONAL SARCASM SOCIETY - As if we want your support."
The active thread, whatever its topic was, seems to have taken a frivolous turn. I didn't start it!
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publiusdetroit
"Are we really harming anyone?"
Quite obviously my answer to that is "No." I don't even understand why they care. Nor do I wish to try to understand. Instead I think we should become a "break-away blog." Let's start a petition.
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bere54
My fridge magnet says: "Dull Women has Immaculate Homes."
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345, timewaits -
Ohhh, that explains why my home is such a mess!
I have two magnets. One says: "Housework Is Evil. It Must Be Stopped."
The other says: "Chocolate - not just for breakfast anymore"
My entire life philosophy spelled out in two fridge magnets. And a bumper sticker I used to have that declared "Spandex - a Privilege, Not a Right."
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Oh, no, you're never going to believe this! They've started on the middle east on the other thread! How could that have happened? Who woulda thunk it? I thought we were discussing puppies.
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346 bere54
Another fav by Phyllis Diller: "Housework can't kill you, but why take the chance?"
Like your spandex quote.
#347 It is almost unbelievable. Anything can set them off, even puppies!
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bere54
Here are two more I just found:
"I buried a lot of my ironing in the back yard."
and
"I'm eighteen years behind in my ironing. There's no use doing it now, it doesn't fit anybody I know."
Phyllis Diller
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That Phyllis Diller is (was? is she dead yet?) one smart woman.
I didn't bury my ironing, or get behind in it. I simply gave it up. Gave the iron to my son for doing something or other with his snowboard (I hope it's not kinky).
Wrinkled is the new black.
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287 Jordan D, and 326 TT:
327 Seanspa has it exactly right.
Some of the best strings on this blog have come when people talk about experiences they have had that give much greater insight than political polemeics, repeated ad nauseum, on either the middle east or abortion.
The people who are chatting here are enjoying each other's company. It is a positive, beneficial activity. Its about people getting along with each other, rather than fighting. Not such a bad lesson.
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301 and 328. Timewaits
Slagging the French. When I was a kid it was much more serious. Now, slagging the French is effectively self parody, like Basil Fawlty. Mostly, I think we're past it, but you still sometimes get surprises. You remember the ad during the election, with Michel Rivard? Laughed, and laughed.
Excuse me, I'm going to shift into French here for a bit to answer Timewaits' parenthetical at 301: Je ne sais pas si c'est "au but", ou plutot "au fond", ou, peut etre, "au coeur". Quand j'y pense, c'est comme "au but de mes forces", qui veut dire "epuise", en effet en anglais "at the end of my tether", which is not "the end" that you mean.
(Il y avait un Marcel "Aubut", nom vraiment Quebecois, bien sur, mais c'est different.)
Moi j'aurais dit "au fond je suis convaincu que c'est un complot...", mais je ne suis pas un francophone pour vrai. A la fin, ou enfin, tel que soit, je vous ai bien compris.
And, on the topic of plots and conspiracies, one of my favorite Quebec sayings, which carries a ton of history, and a lot of self-deprecating humour and irony is "On les aura demain, les Anglais". (We'll get them tomorrow, those English.)
For our good friends in America and the UK, classroom French is very standard, relatively slowly spoken French from central or eastern France - more or less the French equivalent of standard English as presented by BBC newsreaders on the world service.
It takes a long, long time, and a lot of practice, to learn to understand the French of Montreal-est, or Rouyn-Noranda, or Gaspesie. I still have trouble understanding Haitians. Just imagine learning English by listening to some mile-a-minute gravel-voiced sportscaster on the local late-night news in, say, Joe Batt's Arm NFLD, a small town in the outback in Australia, a town in the deep south in the US, somewhere outside Mumbai, in the Windies, or on the overnight service on "SABC Channel Africa".
It's difficult, but when you finally catch on, it's really rewarding. Unfortunately satellite broadcast of TV is killing the strong local dialects that give language such richness. Bit of a shame, that.
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344. At 02:28am on 14 Apr 2009, timewaitsfornoman wrote:
I don't even understand why they care. Nor do I wish to try to understand. Instead I think we should become a "break-away blog." Let's start a petition.
Don't think we need either; looks like we've got our own cozy corner here now. They can keep going on about the usual stuff on the active thread. They'll start fighting WWII again soon by the look of it as well.
Just going back to the misdirection bit (It's not just the Irish or Devonians, I've been trying who wrote a poem 'on being misdirected in Wales'; anybody know?) in France they often put black tape over the names of some towns on the motorway signs. It's as though they're temporarily wiped off the road map. I keep wondering whether it's something they've done, and they're being punished by being made invisible, or whether the inhabitants just want to be reclusive for a bit and get a bit of respite from the traffic and tape over the names themselves.
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327. seanspa wrote:
TT, I would suggest that it is those who hammer away at the same message on each and every thread (on topic meaning their one and only topic) who are driving people away.
I concentrate on the Israeli-Arab conflict a lot, but not exclusively and mostly in response to the venomous off-topic Israel-bashing on these BBC blogs. On another thread you suggested that I restrict myself to one thread on the Israeli-Arab conflict and leave the others alone. Perhaps you can see how one-sided that suggestion is while you reserve for yourself and others the right to discuss whatever off-topic subjects you like on whichever thread you choose.
Have a look at who steered the "Reflecting on delay" thread in an Israel-bashing direction. One of the usual suspects - Simon21 at comment no. 70.
329. bere54 wrote:
Who let the riffraff in? Somebody left the door open.
The other day you were insisting that nobody on this blog wants to censor the opinions of others. Make up your mind.
330. Simon21 wrote:
You genuinely do think people are bothered about what you think.
Plenty are, you included. Otherwise why respond to the points I make? And of course there are others who appreciate the points I make, as I appreciate theirs.
332. timewaitsfornoman,
That's interesting. I didn't know of any BBC blogs with a chat facility.
If you read my post, you would know I ask so as not to bother others.
I did read your post and I was impressed by your concern for others. As you indicated, I do find the scrolling through endless chat a time-wasting exercise but other than that it doesn't bother me.
336. aquarizonagal wrote:
I would ask a question of those who are irritated with some of the posts on this thread. What is so terrible with sharing food, ideas, dreams, even silly jokes?
I'm not irritated by it. As I said, I just scroll. Unlike many here, I don't see myself as having any right to dictate the direction of any thread, since this is not my blog. There's nothing terrible about it, but the BBC does have a rule that off-topic comments are not allowed. Evidently, that rule is no longer being followed on many BBC blogs. I think Have Your Say is an exception.
342. publiusdetroit wrote:
The kitchen party always tries to use a thread that has gone inactive for some period of time as not to inconvience any of the active topics.
In fact, the kitchen party uses any thread anywhere anytime. You are really concerned about not inconveniencing anyone? You jest. The only one here that I know of who has genuinely expressed any concern about that was timewaitsfornoman at no. 293.
351. Interestedforeigner wrote:
The people who are chatting here are enjoying each other's company. It is a positive, beneficial activity.
Perhaps in some respects. But from what I've seen of it, it is also a rather petty and narrow clique with a "nudge-nudge, wink-wink" attitude towards "outsiders," people thus reinforcing their prejudices. Those the clique does not approve of are often peppered with snide remarks and shown the door. Weird to find this occurring among adults and on a blog run by the BBC - which prides itself on its "impartiality."
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I'm curious, and this seems a good place to ask. Is there anybody who does not get that "All new members . . ." message when they post? I've been 'contributing' (if that's the word) for over six months, and I'm wondering how long it takes for the 'newness' to wear off?
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354. At 10:54am on 14 Apr 2009, TrueToo wrote:
"But from what I've seen of it, it is also a rather petty and narrow clique with a "nudge-nudge, wink-wink" attitude towards "outsiders," people thus reinforcing their prejudices. Those the clique does not approve of are often peppered with snide remarks and shown the door."
You don't have to join in ;-)
Nor barge in just to insult people. Would you mind closing the door (quietly) on your way out?
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355. british-ish wrote:
I'm curious, and this seems a good place to ask. Is there anybody who does not get that "All new members . . ." message when they post?
I'm sure everyone gets it. The system is working OK and much better than it used to now that the "Preview" function has been included. If the message bothers you, just imagine it without the word "new."
356. british-ish,
Your "barge in" comment is typical of many on this blog who have somehow come to regard it as their own territory. Get with the concept of the Internet: it's allied to free speech and is not at all hard to grasp. Pity that there are many here who would censor any opinion they didn't like if they were in control of the blog. They pay lip service to free speech, and that's it.
And regarding the flinging of insults, there are some true professionals here. I ain't one of them.
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Publius (159),
- "A friend used to make choke cherry wine."
My step-Granny in Canada made it, and it was marvelous! Do you know the botanical name for choke-cherry?Happy Easter (and Passover greetings where appropriate)to all,
For those still on windoze, a tale:
The Conficker update comes a week after a heavily-hyped April 1st activation date and provides the first sign of the motivation behind this malware threat — financially motivated cybercrime."
For those who care, our woodland gatherings were blessed with absolutely brilliant weather and first-rate campfire evenings...
Salaam to all
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357. TrueToo:
Yawn. Heard it all before. Bored with it. Thought I asked you to close the door on your way out?
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Ref 358 Hesiodos
Choke cherry; Prunus virginiana
Had to look that up. Interesting to find that the boiled bark of the root is used as an astringent for colds. When I was a child we used to call them "poison berries" because of the astringent in the fruit. It was rather daring to eat a handful to show off ones "powers".
I'll have to gather some roots this summer to give the cold treatment a try next winter.
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lol Time
"She called her parents to tell them not to worry she had found an apartment right across the street from the American Embassy"
at first skimming through so I could get to the juicy stuff of truth I made the mistake of thinking you might be suggesting that she found an american embassy in Kansas.
Which I found amusing. So I shared it.
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358 Glad to hear the festivities went well.
And to those that wish to participate. DO.
participate. writing in for the first time to say "why are you not on thread" SPEAK UP. They let" truly never said anything worth while" in..
Simon " any desire to visit Kansas soon dissapears, like the Wicked Witch of the West "
I thought she lived in Alaska?
332 I would appreciate it if they did start a "we are pro zionists .no matter what " thread and ban this twerp twit nit stit.
even though he is so friendly with my good mate Gary.
Aqua great sentiments all round So glad you came back. I suspect TT will bore us all away.
(now that is an IDEA)
As to sharing some wine.
It may be worth remembering that many people have religious objections to a tipple.
They live in nations that Quite often have a culture of Hashish though.
Which was made illegal for international trade at a time that was a short economic cycle away from the area turning more violent.
I know you will share a virtual peace pipe.
"Drop bongs not bombs" that my bumper sticker.
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Seems like a good time to hear from the kitchen band.
Hit it girls!
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it seems that Bere sean and time are having problems posting. s I will post for themlol ;)
" Truely wrong bugger off"
no seriously
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357 Tosh
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354 Tosh
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seems to me by TT measures it would be right to say " all circumcised people have a desire to destroy the planet" because the most violence is seen from those countries with high circumcision rates.
Who circumcises? Muslims , Jews and Americans
My point of the other thread is proven. We are all to suffer because they did as kids.
the procedure makes men angry. Look at the proof;)
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I am suspecting that you were the Best Hide and seek hider at your school.
Never found . not once in all the 6 months you spent there.
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wow so he is allowed to lie but no one is allowed to defend against it.
strange BBC MOD.
"self-closing bold": (or <b /> if that doesn't show up right)
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referred to the MODs
so someone has a problem with people actually arguing with them.
Some say others are stifled yet they actually go one step further and refer till it's too late peoples comments. saying they are so sensitive to criticism that they do not want to see it.
hardly upholding an argument.
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354. At 10:54am on 14 Apr 2009, TrueToo wrote:
330. Simon21 wrote:
You genuinely do think people are bothered about what you think.
Plenty are, you included. Otherwise why respond to the points I make? And of course there are others who appreciate the points I make, as I appreciate theirs."
But I do not whine about others disagreeing with me.
And you do not make any points, you cannot defend oppression anymore than you can defend Islamophobia or rascism
That is why you know you lose any argument on the subject and why you are constantly complaining.
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Oh dear oh dear. Not again!
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Not again!
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To the "kitchen cabinet":
I thought this wasn't working, since the last two posts seemed to vanish and I had a message teling me I had to wait 30 seconds before posting. However, they did show up, so maybe the kitchen can carry on.
But, will those two boys please stop playing with it? We were getting along very nicely here (at least until TT found where we were hiding) and I don't really want to wait until the Islam/Nazi/WW2 stuff runs out in the other thread, or until Somalia runs dry.
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