Last week I was carded at the ShopNSave register for a bottle of Robitussin Cough Syrup, Today I had to show my driver's license at the M&T Bank drive-up window in order to cash an insurance company check for $55.30. The cashier was about 7 years old and warned me to be careful that the money didn't drop out of the envelope, even though she'd taped it closed.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Which of these things is not like the others?
Maybe 2017
The Apprentice and The Wall
I can hardly qualify as a TV critic under the best of circumstances, and probably not at all since I didn't watch the shows with due attention, but I was exposed to both and can relate their overall effect.
I wasn't actually aware that The Apprentice was airing because I was in the midst of my routine bookkeeping duties as well as embarking on my version of The Odyssey when the phone rang, so I muted the volume on the TV. But not before I was vaguely unsettled by the appearance of Arnold, meaning I felt a slight wave of nausea; Has he ordered the cast of wanna-be has-beens to call him Governor and does his hairdo in any way resemble he whose name must not be mentioned? I thought he fired someone named Connie, but then realized he was referring to Carnie Wilson. Oh, well, maybe she's moved on to a better place.
Ending my phone conversation and clearing up my workplace, I paid no attention to the following show, ironically enough called The Wall, until somewhere near the end. I know some game shows are rigidly enforced as to contestant eligibility and authenticity, but I can't help but sense that The Wall is about 99% phony. The pair of contestants that I saw appeared to be straight out of central casting and if their words were not scripted, it would be a huge surprise. The show is overwrought anyway, with rules galore. The stakes are enormous, putting Jeopardy and Millionaire to shame. And moreover, in light of how cautious most game show contestants are, what player would risk over a million dollars? This one, evidently, just because he didn't want his buddies in the military to scoff at him for not taking a chance. But he and his family seemed okay with their leaving with zero dollars, and the host congratulated him on his love for family and thanked him for his military service. Que, sera.
I wasn't actually aware that The Apprentice was airing because I was in the midst of my routine bookkeeping duties as well as embarking on my version of The Odyssey when the phone rang, so I muted the volume on the TV. But not before I was vaguely unsettled by the appearance of Arnold, meaning I felt a slight wave of nausea; Has he ordered the cast of wanna-be has-beens to call him Governor and does his hairdo in any way resemble he whose name must not be mentioned? I thought he fired someone named Connie, but then realized he was referring to Carnie Wilson. Oh, well, maybe she's moved on to a better place.
Ending my phone conversation and clearing up my workplace, I paid no attention to the following show, ironically enough called The Wall, until somewhere near the end. I know some game shows are rigidly enforced as to contestant eligibility and authenticity, but I can't help but sense that The Wall is about 99% phony. The pair of contestants that I saw appeared to be straight out of central casting and if their words were not scripted, it would be a huge surprise. The show is overwrought anyway, with rules galore. The stakes are enormous, putting Jeopardy and Millionaire to shame. And moreover, in light of how cautious most game show contestants are, what player would risk over a million dollars? This one, evidently, just because he didn't want his buddies in the military to scoff at him for not taking a chance. But he and his family seemed okay with their leaving with zero dollars, and the host congratulated him on his love for family and thanked him for his military service. Que, sera.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Fruitcake Paean
I could have used a few things for Christmas this year, mostly as replacements for things that were shattered this year, such as my camera and my psychological state, but I only requested one thing the single time I was asked. I said I'd like a fruitcake.
I don't know how fruitcakes came to have such a bad reputation. The standard joke is that only one exists and it is constantly being circulated in the re-gifting cycle because nobody likes fruitcake. Well, I do. Of course there are such things as bad fruitcake, but let's not paint the whole fruitcake industry with the same brush. Fruitcake can be delicious,
My in-laws used to give us a fruitcake every year at Christmas time, and that may be when I discovered that I did indeed enjoy them. He worked for a liquor company, and may have ordered through the company; I believe the cakes came from Tennessee, and contained a generous amount of spirits along with the fruit and nuts. Of course, my kids would never eat fruitcake, and neither did my husband, he preferring to partake of his spirits unadulterated by cake or fruit. So I would keep the fruitcake in the refrigerator, and eat it throughout the winter.
That is where my gift of fruitcake is at the moment. It was exactly as requested---not one of those tiny, individual loaves which tend to be dried up, not one of those intimidatingly oversized behemoths, but a nice medium-sized fruitcake, round in shape.
Now I'm not sure as to what makes a fruitcake so unpopular, Can it be the ingredients? But what's not to like about flour, sugar, spices, fruit and nuts, with maybe a trace of something alcoholic, which bakes out after contributing its flavor. This year's specimen is moist, flavorful and delectable. The nuts are pecans, the fruit more candied than dried, cherries being the most prominent, with a plentiful supply of the candied glaze permeating all.
I waited a few days after Christmas before cutting into it, and presumed it would be around for a considerable amount of time. But it's more than half gone. That's what happens when you have fruitcake for lunch. Oh, for my lunch only. Everyone else has gone on record over the years for detesting fruitcake, so I would never attempt to coerce anyone into eating a despised food.
I don't know how fruitcakes came to have such a bad reputation. The standard joke is that only one exists and it is constantly being circulated in the re-gifting cycle because nobody likes fruitcake. Well, I do. Of course there are such things as bad fruitcake, but let's not paint the whole fruitcake industry with the same brush. Fruitcake can be delicious,
My in-laws used to give us a fruitcake every year at Christmas time, and that may be when I discovered that I did indeed enjoy them. He worked for a liquor company, and may have ordered through the company; I believe the cakes came from Tennessee, and contained a generous amount of spirits along with the fruit and nuts. Of course, my kids would never eat fruitcake, and neither did my husband, he preferring to partake of his spirits unadulterated by cake or fruit. So I would keep the fruitcake in the refrigerator, and eat it throughout the winter.
That is where my gift of fruitcake is at the moment. It was exactly as requested---not one of those tiny, individual loaves which tend to be dried up, not one of those intimidatingly oversized behemoths, but a nice medium-sized fruitcake, round in shape.
Now I'm not sure as to what makes a fruitcake so unpopular, Can it be the ingredients? But what's not to like about flour, sugar, spices, fruit and nuts, with maybe a trace of something alcoholic, which bakes out after contributing its flavor. This year's specimen is moist, flavorful and delectable. The nuts are pecans, the fruit more candied than dried, cherries being the most prominent, with a plentiful supply of the candied glaze permeating all.
I waited a few days after Christmas before cutting into it, and presumed it would be around for a considerable amount of time. But it's more than half gone. That's what happens when you have fruitcake for lunch. Oh, for my lunch only. Everyone else has gone on record over the years for detesting fruitcake, so I would never attempt to coerce anyone into eating a despised food.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Out of Service
I wonder what percentage of returning military men and women simply walk into their homes and re-unite with their families in a private setting. With all the media publicity about the surprises at pop-up appearances of returning moms and dads, there must be some children who expect the appearance of Santa, or the guest speaker at their school assembly may be their father, or the waitress serving them burgers at their favorite fast food restaurant is none other than mom. But, kids, be aware: even if in disguise, that person may be someone else's parent. You're not the only one, you know.
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