Okay, since you’ve probably digested my trip to Abell’s, and
I’ve been pretty good about sticking to food, maybe I deserve a little rant
time. By the way, thanks for the
continued suggestions for the diner “just right” list. Keep them coming. I think I have the next visit lined up but I’ll
keep you guessing. And I have been told
a couple of times that I need to go back to Abell’s for the “logger”
breakfast. Given my frail constitution especially
in the morning, that may be a struggle, but we’ll see.. Okay, rant or at least crabby time
First one:
Lately I have noticed a trend in car commercials, especially
with the so-called “luxury” lines of Mercedes, Acura, Lexus, etc. to highlight
their electronic gee-whiz "safety" features. Maybe you’ve seen them. One shows an obviously
new driver practicing driving with Dad in the right seat, and driving junior turns to stare at a comely young lady on the
sidewalk. The “car” abruptly stops him from rear ending the auto in front of
him. Dad smiles, the kid looks sheepish
and they move on.
In another, Mom at the wheel turns completely around to
fiddle with junior in the back seat and is only brought back to reality when
her windshield fills up with a Kenilworth grill. A look of mild surprise, and then a self
satisfied little grin takes over. Or,
how about that one where the guy is obviously driving “too fast for conditions”
which are almost zero visiblity and comes roaring into a construction zone until the car
again saves him (or maybe the workers).
Then there’s the one where the demure little lady is somehow
in a demolition derby with cars twirling overhead, blind spot indicator letting
her know a battered Chevy is about to hit her, or swerving away from the wall
in the nick of time while a unequipped competitor smashes into it. It finishes with smoking heaps of metal and
the unscathed Mercedes SUV with the little smiling lady at the wheel and the
announcer intoning “you almost couldn't crash this car if you wanted to”, or
something close to that.
Well, this is just fine. I am so glad to hear this. I think I may go buy one of these vehicles so
that the next time I have one too many, instead of relying on a taxi or a designated, I can drive myself home with complete confidence that my car will
prevent any untoward events. Swerving? No
matter the lane device will pull me back in. Following too close? Nope, no worries. Texting while driving? No problem.
Complete confidence. I just
wonder if this technology which is somewhere between none and complete control of
the vehicle is good or bad. Don’t think I
like the implications. Are we spawning and encouraging a population of uncaring, idiot drivers?
Another one:
Speaking of idiot drivers, I have yakked about this before, but people just don’t seem
to get it around here. It’s a small
word, only five letters: m – e – r – g – e.
Maybe the auto manufacturers will come up with combined software and GPS
technology that you just select “merge” from the menu on the screen and it will
regulate your vehicle’s speed and direction such that you will seamlessly flow into traffic
in a safe manner. Until then I am doomed
to be behind said idiots who think that half mile of vacant asphalt on the right is
only for turning at the (hardly visible) next intersection, and will wait however
long it takes to have a completely vacant highway (caused by demon lights
someplace) so they can pull directly across that merge lane into the right traffic lane
and continue on. Or if threatened by the
evil man behind them (who sometimes honks), pull timidly into said lane, and go
so slow that there is never a chance to get between (ample) spaces of cars in
motion. Argghhh..
Last one:
Does this happen to you?
That innocent little box of “saran wrap” or similar product is a menace
to (at least my) sanity. I am talking
about the common grocery store “smaller” box type here, not the food service
type which is maybe a couple of feet long.
When you need to wrap up say, a chop or steak for freezing, or after you
have applied a rub, you need a piece maybe 18 by 18. Many things happen: You can’t pull out the
required length and the roll comes out of the box (at this point you might as
well go get waxed paper), or the damn serrated edge won’t cut and it bunches
along the box into a ball, or if it does actually come out of the box, and cut
into your desired length you’re stuck with a flapping piece of saran held in
one hand which immediately clings to itself in several places. Okay, so you lay it on your counter and
attempt to “straighten it out” which never happens, it only gets worse. And don’t even talk to me about "cling plus”.
And actually, as odd as it sounds, those big commercial boxes
are much easier to deal with. Yes, you
have to get it from the pantry and place it on the counter, but the lack of
above problems pays big dividends. The heft
of the box and roll within keeps it in place allowing both hands to be of
use. You can pretty easily strip out the
desired length with a hand on each end.
Then, depending on the brand, there is either a long serration or a
slider with a knife on the edge of the box.
A good trick is to tuck the free edge of the sheet under your chin and then either
slice it, or grab both sides near the serration and sort of bring your hands
down and together cutting the sheet from both sides. You still have hold of both edges so you can straighten it out into a nice sheet Works pretty well.. See what a vast resource on kitchen technique
your Bottom Feeder is?
Okay, the mental air is much clearer, and I can return to
food matters. Am re-trying a salmon
recipe tonight, “Baked Salmon a la Kansas”.
Will have to be
DFD
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