February 02, 2004

Shadow?

Happy Large Underground Rodent Day

Posted by Dave at 06:14 PM
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January 22, 2004

The Moon and Sheeppiece

You know what you’ll see if you walk into a grocery store these days? Piles and piles of haggis. And bags and bags of prawn crackers on special offer.

I don’t usually think about global consumption, but one thing that brings it to mind every single time is chicken wings. There was a bar in Champaign called the White Horse and they would have special 10 cent wing nights. And a group of guys with $10 each can create quite the large pile of chicken bones. For 40 cents, a chicken would be left severely disfigured. For $50, that’s a lot of chickens.

When I saw that pile of brown bag sheep parts, I had a flashback to the mystical graveyard of all chickens everywhere.

Regardless, Burns night is coming up and the Lunar New Year is a moving target. Surely at some point these two holidays must intersect causing much confusion to Chinese Scots everywhere. Espcially if it’s the Year of the Haggis.

Posted by Dave at 03:25 PM
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November 07, 2003

After the burning stops

So if I were to compare the Fourth to the Fifth, I’d have to say there are some good ideas that can be shared between our two nations.

Early July is great for laying out a blanket, bringing a picnic, and eating until the show begins while your pasty legs turn a nice healthy red. Early November is not the right time for any of this. Which, I guess is partly why you must build such a big bonfire.
But, having a display in November is not without it’s merits, the main one being the feasibility of an earlier start time. When it gets pitch black at 5:30, you don’t need to wait until 10 to start the show. And, of course, you’ve got the big bonfire.
The bonfire that has been made so large, nobody is allowed to get anywhere near it for fears of safety. The bonfire that you know is bigger than it looks, but as far as you can see, it’s about the size of a twice baked potato.

Posted by Dave at 02:35 PM
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November 05, 2003

Before the fire

Tonight is Bonfire Night, which I suppose is similar to the 4th of July. Even though I’ve lived in the UK for about 3 years now tonight will be the first time I actually join in the festivities and watch things burn.

As I understand it, the plan is this: huddle around a giant bonfire eating baked potatos and watch fireworks. For an extra twist, add rain and overcast skies for full effect.

There’s also a catchy rhyme.
Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot something something ever forgot!

Catchy indeed.

Posted by Dave at 01:24 PM
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October 31, 2003

Trick, of course

My in-laws came over for a home cooked dinner tonight. Their first exposure to Korean food, completely at my hands. Ok, maybe just a little nerve twitch inducing, but overall I think I did a good job. I’ll write up some recipes soon.

As you may or may not know, today was also Halloween. Only one trick or treater came to our door. Knocked once and waited while we waited. Knocked again and figured we should tell the kid we had no candy.

Mom-in-law came to the rescue and answered the door. “Sorry, I’m just visiting.” And off they went.

Posted by Dave at 11:57 PM
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