Dinosaur Meat Update

Thanks to a faithful reader, I have an update on our dinosaur eating discussion.  She sent in the following link which we found most illuminating:

What did dinosaur meat taste like?

Based on that, I think I'll pass on the dino meat.  I don't have a lot of hawk in my diet, and I don't think I'm missing out on too much.

Not Yum.

Decadent Dessert

The dessert I made for last night's monthly Ladies Dinner was a hit, and as quite a few people asked for the recipe, I thought I would share it with you, Dear Readers.

Courtesy of Real Simple Magazine 

Hazelnut Ganache Tart with Sea Salt

Serves 10 - Hands-On Time: 25 minutes - Total Time: 2 hours

Creepy Christmas

My least favorite holiday song is the classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

Deano

For a long time I thought I was the only one who found this song disturbing and predatory.  But thanks to the wonder of the interwebs, I have found a slew of people who feel the same.  It's nice not to feel alone.  But seriously.  The male part in this song is outright refusing to let the female part leave his house, no matter how many times she insists or tells him that "the answer is no."  Creepy.  It doesn't even have anything to do with Christmas - why must this song be played so often?

The runner-up, is of course, the delightfully absurd "Christmas Shoes."  But this song is so ridiculous, that I think I actually get great enjoyment out of it.  They made a TV movie out of it, for Pete's sake.  Rob Lowe, you are better than this.

Oh, Rob Lowe

Oh, this song just makes me laugh.  But what about you, dear readers - are there any songs or holiday movies that you find creepy or extremely irritating?  I don't know if there are any other songs about date rape like good old "Baby, It's Cold Outside" but I'm sure there are equally inappropriate topics.

Laser

Does your place of employment have need for a sign like this?

Didn't think so.

Cave man

<rant>So I recently got into those show "House Hunters" on HGTV.  And I mean, like, into it - I've watched at least 20 episodes in the last 4 days.  I watched two episodes last night, but had to turn it off partway through the second because I was getting too riled.  The reason: man caves.

I have just discovered that I find this phrase and idea fairly offensive.  On each of the shows I watched last night, both husbands expressed their need for a spot for their man cave in their new home, and were willing to sacrifice a lot to get the perfect "man cave" space.  The second guy was so absurd and kept being dismissive of these amazing houses, that were perfect in every other way, because his cave wasn't going to be big enough.  At no time did either of the women express a need for their own room or private area of the house.

I don't understand where this theory came from that men deserve their own special place in the house where women are not quite welcome.  But I do not care for it.  I have never considered myself a very vocal feminist, but something has snapped.  Down with man caves, sister suffragettes!</rant>

Votes for Women!

Karaoke

Did your Thanksgiving include karaoking in a Chinese restaurant like mine did?

Didn't think so.

(Not) Ray Tong

Stimulating Dinner Conversation #2

This past weekend, I sat down to dinner with a group of friends.  This group was made up of many of the same people who chimed in on the "Which dinosaur would you rather eat?" debate of 2010 and the topic was once again visited.  At some point Beet mentioned getting in a time machine and going back in time to actually get a dinosaur and decide the point once and for all, but I'm not sure how we got to that scenario.  Instead, most of the conversation was hijacked by the Kool-Aid Man.

Kool-Aid Man

It seemed pretty universal that we would be fairly angry if the Kool-Aid Man came busting through our walls.  I don't think most insurance covers that.  Who's going to pay for that damage?  Getting some Kool-Aid is definitely not worth that headache, especially when we could have just gone to the store to get the drink, or the Kool-Aid Man could have come in through the door.  But could he have?  And here's where the conversation took an interesting turn.

The Kool-Aid Man can't use the door.  He's way too big.  We had a lawyer in our midst, so we queried about whether venues were in violation of the American's With Disabilities Act.  Her take was that he often busts through the walls at private residences, which aren't covered under the ADA.  But he could have a case at any sort of public place.  We still don't think it gives him the right to vandalize property in such a flagrant fashion, but it did make us pause and think about how tough life must be for him and to try to put ourselves in his jug before we judge again.

This could be an interesting topic to discuss with your loved ones this Thanksgiving.  What a great time to teach the kids about acceptance.  I look forward to hearing your take on the topic, and if you have any interesting conversations around the old bird tomorrow, come on back and let us know.  From everyone here at Scuttlebuttering, have a great Thanksgiving, folks!

 

Happy Turkey Day!

Christmas Gifts

So, my mother's been bugging me for a few weeks now about giving her my Christmas list.  The problem is, I have no idea what to ask for from my parents.  If I need something, I'll usually just buy it, so there's nothing I can't really live without.  And my parents are very generous to me year-round, and I just feel bad asking for more from them.  I'm great at giving advice for gifts for other people, and gave them wonderful ideas for what to get Bert.  But compared to his great presents, the only thing I have asked for so far is a shoe rack.  My mom said that that's a little sad and she needs more suggestions.

So help me out, kids.  What did you ask for from your parents?  Or do you have any suggestions of things that I don't even know I need, but will soon wonder how I lived without?

My sad Christmas gift 

Elevator Etiquette #1

lulu.com

So someday, I'm going to teach a class on elevator etiquette.  It will be part of a series that might go on to discuss escalators, or even moving walkways (just stay to the right if you're not going to be walking, guys).  But I feel very strongly about how people should behave in elevators and I unfortunately spend a lot of time fuming over this topic.

The main issue I have been fixed on, is a new phenomenon for me.  While I have seen it happen elsewhere, rarely does a week go by at work that I do not encounter it.  "It" being I get on an elevator, someone gets on after me, and they don't push a button.  I work on the top floor of my building - there's nowhere else for them to go.  Once we get to my floor, they laugh likes it's the funniest thing in the world and press the button for their floor and go back down.  But this happens every week!  With different people!  There are supposed to be really bright people at this Institution.  I just don't understand this at all.  At least ask me to push the button for your floor for you.

Argh.  I'm getting riled.  Elevator Rule #1 - Make sure the button for your floor is pressed.  I'd hope this would be a commonly known axiom, but I guess we have to start at the beginning.

Bowling

Bowling has always played a part in my life.  When I was little, I was jealous of all the trophy's my older brother had from various academic and athletic ventures, so my mother gave me her only trophy so I could pretend I had one, too (I know, it's a little sad).  Her trophy was from the bowling league she joined when my brother was born, because he was a bit of a crier and the bowling alley offered free babysitting.  Brilliance does run in the family, it's true.  Anyway, she was a terrible bowler, but she still got a trophy at the end of the season, and it has been a prized Withers family possession ever since.

Bringing the story full circle, Beet and I just signed up for a bowling league this winter with some of our friends.  I'm so excited.  I can't wait to orchestrate the entire crowd singing the classic song "Score Tonight" from one of my top-3 favorite movies, "Grease 2."  It is going to be epic.

 

Score Tonight! 

Fun fact!  When I was in high school, I had a bowling birthday party, and my two of my friend's and I learned this song and dance and performed.  Not at all embarrassing and completely awesome!

Horrifying

Real quick:

I'm about to take an on-line survey and the first question is what kind of foot condition do you have.  Some of the options are going to haunt my dreams tonight.  I'd rather be set on fire than developing any of the following:

Claw Toes
Hammer Toes
Lederhose's Disease (I better cut back on my wearing of lederhosen)
Mallet Toes (completely different from Hammer Toes)

The images in my head are frightening.

Get ready for awesomeness

New sneakers on the way!

6pm.com

WEEEEOOOOWEEEEEOOOOOWEEEEEOOOOOO.

That's the alarm for awesome.  Everyone knows I love me my 'Roos.  I have worn my current pair down and I can't ignore the holes in them any longer.  Get excited for my new kicks, folks.  They'll be making their debut shortly.  Prepare accordingly.  Your own shoes are going to seem mediocre after you see mine.

Flag Maker

So, to continue the theme of heroic American costumes, I strongarmed my friend Cap to be Betsy Ross for Halloween.  I even purchased her costume before she could say no.  Now maybe you aren't familiar with what the woman who made her first American flag looks like.  I'll help you out.

Betsy Ross Facts

Are you interested in knowing what she does not look like?

This costume is not good.  It didn't even come with all the pieces.  El Capo's going to have to go out and get an updo before the party.  I haven't opened up my costume, but now I'm a little scared.  Bert's adventure trying on his beard did not go great and I was left cleaning bits of it out of the sink for awhile.  I'm pretty sure whoever made these costumes are Communists who hate America.

Need to Clean

This weekend, a few of my favorite people from Long Island are coming up to visit us, which makes me happy for many reasons, but importantly, it gives me incentive to clean.  I'm not, uh, how you see, neat, most of the time, so it's good when life gives me a reason to pick up my junk.

However, an experience two nights ago gave me additional incentive.

Picture it - Ray and I are asleep at about 3am when suddenly - Bam - I'm awake.  I don't know what woke me, but I do know I have a tendency towards an overactive imagination that often exaggerates the worst thing possible.  While I look around trying to make sure everything is all right, I become convinced that there are 3 or 4 intruders sitting on the floor next to my bed.  I became paralyzed.  Part of my brain knew that it was absurd that people were sitting next to my bed, but I just couldn't figure out why that was so absurd.  I was so sure I could make out (fuzzy) details of the people.  I went back and forth regarding waking Ray but a.) I really felt like I couldn't move and b.) I was sure that the noise he would make on being woken up would provoke the people on the floor.

At least 10 minutes passed while I tried to convince myself that I was being ridiculous.  And then suddenly, it either got a bit brighter in the room or my eyesight miraculously improved but I realized what the "people" were: piles of clothes and books.  My desk chair.  The crate that holds my winter clothes.  Released from the spell, I could finally relax and went back to sleep.

I think maybe it might be a good idea to clean up those piles so I don't give myself cardiac arrest.

Stimulating Dinner Conversation

The Beets like to entertain.  It's a fact of life.  Last week, Ray was cooking up 5 lbs of pot roast, so we decided to have some friends over.  Boxed wine was flowing, stirring up some rousing debate.  Eventually, we came back to one of life's most important questions - which dinosaur would you prefer to eat?

Now, the answers ran the gamut.  Bert said T. Rex, of course, 'cause he's a burly man.  The brontosaurus got 3 votes.  The theory behind this was that since they were herbivores, the meat would be nice and tender, like a grass-fed cow.  That's solid logic that you just can't argue with.  Another good answer was pterodactyl confit which would be tasty due to ample amounts of fat.  I'm a little grossed out, but still on board.  Triceratops and Stegosaurus rounded out the legitimate answers.  Of course our favorite train enthusiast had to throw a wrench in the conversation by saying she would like to eat dragon.  Which is just absurd.  Damn it.

The conclusion?  We need to buy a dinosaur and eat it, that's the only way to solve the discussion.

And yes, I did take notes during the debate.

Want #2

A small, funny-looking dog.  Fluffy.  Decidedly not small enough to fit in my bag or a doll's stroller.  Named Sergeant Henshaw.  Called Sarge when he gets old and curmudgeonly.  I will love it forever.

Costumes

Beet and I decided to go as former Presidents for Halloween.  I'm so excited.  I can't wait to speak softly and carry a big stick.  Although as a female, I of course have to "tramp" it up.  So get ready for this:

biblioklept.org

Is that hot or what?

Want #1

I think every librarian needs to have these shoes.

Fluevog Shoes

I pine.  I just can't decide which color is best.  But keep it in mind when the birthday month comes around again.  I've been waiting a year, I can wait another 10 months.

Fact #1

I do a really awesome Yoda impression.  Don't let haters tell you otherwise.  They either:

a.) are jealous
b.) are liars
c.) don't know what Yoda sounds like.

I wish I could do a recording so you all could hear how accurate it is.

Follow-Up

I showed the blog to Husband Bert when I got home last night.  He enjoyed it immensely.  We had great fun shouting the word scuttlebuttering.  He would like me to promote his own blog.  I will not do that.  Bert does enough of his own blog promotion.

Secondly

A lot of nutters come to the library.  They often don't like to make use of the material at the library, they just like to chat with whoever will listen.  As people stuck behind the reference desk with no means of escape, they normally talk with the reference librarian, and will not stop unless forced to.  When I'm there, it's almost always with someone else, and as I am not big on small talk in general but especially not with randoms in the library, they usually lose interest in me after a bit and move on to someone else.  Until last night.

Picture it.  I'm alone at the reference desk as my fellow librarian has gone to eat dinner.  Solo nutter comes up to the desk to ask me about the nearby grandfather clock and when it will ring.  He commences speaking about how it sounds like an organ and that organs are used to make music on carousels.  He then asks me if I like the park.  What park, I ask.  Disney World, he replies.

How did random nutter know?

I've never been, I say as I will myself to stay silent on the subject and that he will move on.  This is a tough one for me.  I can be a bit fanatical about Disney, and having just returned from a trip, I am anxious to share my stories.  But he does not stop there.  He begins regaling me with the history of Disney World, getting fact after fact wrong.  I am not responding at all, so if I had shown the slightest bit of interest he would never have left.  The strength it took to not correct him or go into a detailed conversation with him about the merits of the Carousel of Progress was something I did not know I had in me.  If I had joined in, a passerby would not have known who the nutter was.  After 10 minutes, he grew bored with my lack of knowledge about Disney World and moved on, allowing me to finally talk to all the library patrons who had been waiting for him to finish.  I will now cross my fingers that the next time I'm working at the library, a loon will not start spouting incorrect facts about Harry Potter.  I don't know how I can resist a second time.

The First

So, I've been a bit bored lately.  I've decided the thing that is missing in my life is a blog.  That is a lie.  But I figure it's something to entertain me for a short span of time, at least.  We'll see how long it lasts, and I don't think I'll publicize it for awhile until I see what sort of commitment I have.  I don't really have much to say, no particular topic in mind.  This will probably be a hodge podge of random thoughts about life, movies and books and the like.

My first thought - the sun.  Does anyone else think it's super annoying?  It wakes me up in the morning, it's crazy hot, and as I was driving to the library tonight it was making a concerted effort to blind me.  And it nearly won.  But not this time, friends, oh no, not today.