Mouse Farts in a Wind Tunnel

March 6, 2003

The pet store clerk insisted on carrying my thirty pound bag of dog food to the car for me today. When did I turn into the person who looks like I need it, or at least would appreciate it? When did I become the person that high-school-age grocery store cashiers look through as though I don't exist? I am feeling the first touches of not being at the center of a youth-oriented culture and it's quite odd, even though I have had quite an extended childhood and adolescence. But there's no way around it -- forty is pretty officially middle-aged, even though we celebrate the accomplishments of elders and centenarians. The thing is, we celebrate those people as freaks not as normal, albeit aged, individuals. Sixty and seventy may not seem particularly old in the US now -- except to certain tewrps in their twenties -- but it is not young. I guess forty is the beginning of the middle, except to the terribly young. And I reserve the right to change my mind when I hit fifty or sixty. But I am starting to understand why my father used to get so touchy about the behavior of certain young and stupid people in service jobs. And I'm not even a crank like he was.

posted by el goose on 3/6/2003 03:54:28 PM | link

Caption these pictures

More of these. The ones by the seventh graders this time.

posted by el goose on 3/6/2003 08:20:10 PM | link

No internet quizzes recently, so I'll inflict this on you:

You are the soldier of death and rebirth -- Sailor
Saturn!

What Sailor Moon Character are YOU?
brought to you by Quizilla

Can't complain about that, can I? The only other one I'd have wanted to be is Sailor Pluto.

And here's another to make up for lost time:




What Is Your Animal Personality?
brought to you by Quizilla
I'll stop now. I promise.

Okay, I lied. It's better than doing the dishes.




Which cocktail are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Help! Stop me before I quiz again!



You're An Intellectual! You can always be found reading or on the computer.
People always come to you when they need
information. You don't really care about love
at this point, your only goal is to improve
your mind. After all, knowledge is power!

What Type Of Anime Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I don't have the "How Republican are You?" test to link to, but I took it. I am a Cynical Liberal, of course.

posted by el goose on 3/6/2003 10:36:58 PM | link

That lentil soup didn't taste nearly as salty today; in fact, it was quite good after the flavors had blended and the Italian sausage had a chance to come through more. Now I'm not sure how much salt to use the next time I make it.

posted by el goose on 3/6/2003 10:41:42 PM | link

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March 5, 2003

Lentil Soup Napoli

The soup of the day.

I made a couple of changes -- there's a surprise. I added a clove of garlic, minced, in with the onion and a teasppon of basil along with the oregano. Minor changes included using an entire big can of chicken stock and four cups of water and then an entire can of tomato sauce. I hate recipes that don't use an entire can or package of something, because I usually end up with the remains turning into a biology experiment.

What I would change about this recipe: Reduce the amount of salt. If I think something is too salty, it's extreme. Next time, I'll try with 1.5 teaspoons, with one tsp used easly in the preparation and a half used late.

What is most excellent about this recipe: The way the lentils are prepared keeps them whole, lentil-y and unmushy. Amazing! Adding the tomato sauce is also great.

But, man! This is salty.

posted by el goose on 3/5/2003 06:07:09 PM | link

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March 3, 2003

posted by el goose on 3/3/2003 01:44:18 PM | link

Stabbing victim’s condition critical

DAYTON | A 45-year-old man drove himself to Good Samaritan Hospital at 10:14 p.m. Saturday, after being stabbed in the heart.

Every day I say to myself, "I won't link to the Dayton Daily News. I won't."

posted by el goose on 3/3/2003 02:12:41 PM | link

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March 2, 2003

Machine is salvation for farmers: Company's manure separator 'too good to be true'

Ahahahahahahahahaha! And this from a paper that would never use the word "salvation" lightly in this market.

posted by el goose on 3/2/2003 03:16:15 PM | link

Armored car stolen from Air Force museum: He denies selling, moving stolen military vehicles

He who?

And those comedians at the DDN name the html page of the story "itsasteal."

posted by el goose on 3/2/2003 03:28:05 PM | link

Be Informed

posted by el goose on 3/2/2003 10:48:42 PM | link

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