Let the trash talking begin

vs.

ARIZONA CARDINALS vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

vs.

MR. SHIFE vs. QUEEN GOOB

vs.

ARIZONA ICE TEA vs. IRON CITY BEER

SUN vs. SNOW


LET THE TRASH TALKING BEGIN!

For RC

WTF

Why in the world does Orville Redenbacher list the nutritional information for unpopped popcorn? Are there people actually buying microwave movie theater butter flavored popcorn and eating it straight out of the bag without cooking it? Are there people who crave the taste of raw corn kernels, buttered oil and salt? Does one get so hungry in eager anticipation of popcorn that they can't wait the 3 minutes it takes to prepare it?

Is there a huge population of uncooked popcorn eaters in North America? If there is, why would they buy microwave popcorn when they could buy kernels in bulk for less? Is it the convenience of having the salt and oil pre-mixed and coated on the kernels in individual packaging? How did Orville Redenbacher determine that 2 tablespoons of unpopped corn is the appropriate portion size? Did the community of raw corn kernel eaters contact the late Redenbacher and clamor for 2 tablespoons to be the international standard for uncooked corn?

Did Orville Redenbacher know something the rest of the population does not know? Are raw corn kernels soaked in buttery oil and salt even tastier than their fluffy, white popped counterparts? Will there be a day when we go to the movie theater and pay $10 for a large tub of unpopped kernels? Will we still be able to order extra butter on our unpopped kernels? Will the secret simplicity of unpopped corn kernels as a late night snack go to the grave with Orville? Is this unpopped nutritional fact on the microwave bags Redenbacher's way of passing along his secret in a cryptic way?

An unkept promise

I feel like I've been back sliding lately. I made a decision over two years ago to only have a drink when I wanted one, not when I needed one. Over the past 24 months, it hasn't always been easy but I've kept this resolution to myself. I made countless conscious efforts to not stop on my way home for a quick drink, or to pick up a six pack to unwind. While it's not always an admirable trait, once I get home from work I'm usually planted for the night. So if there is no alcohol at home when I get there, I'm too lazy to go out to get some. Sloth finally paying off.

Unfortunately, I got a lot of booze for the holidays. One bottle of wine here, a bottle of vodka there, and it all adds up quickly. It's free, and it's at home. Well, at least it was at home. The holiday gifts have already become holiday recyclables and I can say that I didn't want many of those drinks. In fact, it would be fairly safe to assume I didn't want any of them. (The Fat Tire during the bowl games being the exception.) It bothers me that I let myself down yet again and went back on my promise. It bothers me that I'm not strong enough to resist that temptation. It bothers me that other things which I thought I had under control have also gone off track as well. It bothers me that it was so easy to fall into old habits.

I don't want this to seem like it's all about the alcohol, because it's not. It's more about the disappointment of failing to meet my own standards. It's knowing that I took the easy route when it was provided to me rather than the more challenging road. It's having that drink when I needed it and it's gaining 10 pounds because I used food as a substitute for joy yet again. Part of it is knowing that I'd be the only one to notice the changes. I think I've had my wake-up call and will recommit myself to my alcohol promise and others, but I also wonder if I'm heading down a bumpy road that I've been down before and don't want to see again. As much as some things have changed, there are issues which remain the same and are out there trip me up. Some are easily seen and avoided but some are lurking in the weeds, disguised or invisible, like landmines waiting to explode upon contact.

Three months and counting

Sunday was the three month anniversary of The Fence. Some of it is being utilized, as you can see in the background, but much of it still sits idle. It makes you wonder why someone ordered so much fencing. Did they think it would be a more expansive project? Do they not know how to calculate square footage? Did they get such a great deal on the fencing they couldn't refuse? Are they fence hoarders? Did the fence company read the delivery order wrong? Is there a bigger project still on the boards that was supposed to start earlier? Are you tired of reading about the fence yet?