Two Scoops!

Of late, my good buddy Jared has had a link to this as a part of his gchat status message. The following is the log of a conversation we had regarding the aforementioned link. Hopefully, you'll laugh. I sure did.

Dave: Yeah, so how pissed do you think their boss was when they found out they turned the freaking boat around for a box of cereal? "Next time guys, take the box with you."

Jared: I've wondered about that. But if you pause the video at 23 seconds, you'll see just how much they were craving the Raisin Bran. I'm sure the boss would understand if he could see their faces.

Dave: Maybe seeing those faces will make him realize what a bunch of wusses he hired

Jared: They're probably his sons.

Dave: actually, the guys face at 23 seconds make me think that the bran is just finally kicking in.

Jared: Ha ha! That's a very good possibility.

Dave: I was crying I thought that was so funny. Also, I love this comment: "I remember this from my childhood, but I never listened to the lyrics thoroughly. "This tugboat crew has a plan...?" That is so random. Imagine the ad guys sitting around a table with the jingle-writer (like Charlie from Two and a Half Men) saying, "How can we get a story into 30 seconds? How about a tugboat crew?!" Perfect!" Seriously, what is the plan?

Jared: To eat Raisin Bran. Then work. But they abandoned their plan in favor of eating more Raisin Bran.

Dave: I don't see that as a very good business model

This just in - Amazing Easter Awesomeness!

There are few things that rank higher in my book than a good dinner with great friends. Last night both were provided in ample proportions by our gracious host Amber.
Not that we needed reminding, but Amber showed us yet again that she's no slouch when it comes to setting the scene for a feast.


Check out that attention to detail! Personalized place cards and hand wrapped candy eggs.
Pretty soon the guests began to arrive. Most of the usual suspects were there, and I have a feeling that by the end of today, this is going to be one of the most publicized Easter dinners in all of Manhattan. Just a guess.
In a stroke of synergistic brilliance, Jeff has the other half of this shot over at his blog.

J. Lindsay Clark acting the part.

The last time I posted a photo of Mr. and Mrs. Mulcock, it was not without a bit of protest. Thankfully, Mrs. Mulcock is the forgiving sort. At her request, I snapped this photo.
Caitlin was the only one who actually asked to be photographed, and so I must ask the indulgence of everyone else for sticking my camera lens in their faces. Sorry folks, it's becoming something of a habit. Thankfully, I wasn't the only shutterbug there.
It had been so long since I'd seen Pamela, that I just had to get a shot in. I ended up pretty happy with the results, but then again, I had a lot to work with. I'm voting this to be the best Pamela/Brigham shot ever!

Jeff was apparently stoned.

Brittany was shocked. It began to feel like an After-School special there for a moment.
Michael, showing us all the effect a proper Easter shirt can have on one's ego.

A wild Stephoin, hiding amongst the daffodils.

Collin, enjoying Brigham's much lauded spicy nuts.

When I took the first photo of the Mulcocks, I had hoped to catch some genuine laughter. Thankfully, Collin was around, which made my job much easier.
All in all, the evening was a gigantic success. The food was amazing and there's really nothing like spending an evening with so many good people. Thanks so much to everyone who made it possible!

Mmmm... root beer.

Here's the scoop on that new diet root beer from the folks over at Thomas Kemper: it's pretty darn good.

I have to admit something here: I'm biased against diet sodas. So, using a free meal as bait, I lured a couple of diet soda experts over to my place so I could get their opinions as well. Phrases like, "20 calories, really?" and "I'd drink this" were thrown about. No joke. Apparently, the root beer also puts Michelle "in the mood" (see photo), but in the mood for what the world may never know.

We all agreed that there was a definite diet aftertaste to it, but it wasn't that strong. The girls, neither one of which had ever had an original TK, both told me that they liked the flavor of the root beer quite a bit. I've had hundreds of bottles of the original over the years, and though it was pretty easy to tell that this one wasn't, it was still most definitely a Thomas Kemper.

For me, one of the biggest surprises was how light it was. I wasn't the only one to mention that. If you've ever tried an original, you'll know that it's pretty rich. I usually save mine for dessert and skip the cookies. With the diet, you get a lot of the flavor without feeling like it's one of the courses, which is nice.

So, what's the verdict? Well, while I still think I'd reach for an original for my after-dinner treat, I wouldn't be ashamed of bringing a case of the diet to any respectable barbecue or using it in a lower-cal root beer float.

Making use of old news

I've been listening to ABBA for the last few days. I hate to admit it, but there's something about those Swedes. I guess it's my one guilty pleasure...

But it got me thinking about a comment made by John McCain several months ago, back when everyone thought he was out of the race, perhaps thrown about to show how out of it he was. He was asked about what was on his iPod (he has an iPod?). His answer, from the Austin American-Statesman:

Dare I say ABBA. Everybody says, ‘Ehhh, ABBA.’ Why is that? ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever). Nobody likes them but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including the Beatles. But everybody hates them. (But) you’re a no-class guy if you like ABBA. Why does everybody go see ‘Mamma Mia?’ Hypocrisy! Rank hypocrisy! I’m not embarassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’”

More from McCain. If elected, “the background music would be ABBA in the elevators all over the White House.”

And even more.

“‘Take a Chance on Me.’ Maybe that’s what we should have as our (campaign) theme song. That would be good.”

Is this why so many Republicans are mad at him?

Northwest Junk

A recent post has me thinking about this:and this:
Aside from my family, these are probably the two things I miss most about Seattle - Thomas Kemper sodas and Tim's Cascade chips. When I moved to Utah for college, you couldn't get either of these locally. In fact, my Mom used to ship me Tim's, which I would treat like fine wine. Typically, I'd get two or three bags. One was strictly mine, the others were shared generously with other Seattleites and those found worthy of the experience. Ha! I was a bit of a nut. But with flavors like Coney Island (hot dogs and mustard) and steak and onions, so were they. Most of their weird flavors are gone, but I'm still convinced that some of these Seattle-based food companies (Jones Soda is another notable example) make their flavor choices during cannabis-induced cases of the munchies.
Luckily, product planners over at Thomas Kemper have generally avoided that trend, sticking to the classics: Ginger Ale, Cream Soda, Orange Cream Soda, Grape, Black Cherry, and of course, Root Beer. Mmm... their root beer. I wish I could buy you all a glass so you could try it. I've been drinking the stuff since the late 90's and my Mother makes a point of having a cold one in the fridge whenever I visit. Their ginger ale is more of a ginger beer, and really burns going down. It's taken me awhile, but I really like the stuff. Also, their black cherry is the best I've ever tried.
Thankfully, after I returned from Mexico, both of these were available at the Orem Costco (another great Seattle-based company), which makes me wonder if they can be had at one of the local Costcos. Either would certainly be worth the trip.

Taco del Mar... where all the Sith Lords eat

So, last when when I was at home, my kid sister and I went for Super Burritos at our local Taco del Mar. Mmmm... if you ever have the chance you should try it. On our way out, my sister noticed that someone standing in line behind us was wearing this shirt:

And guess what? I was wearing that very same shirt. I'm guessing the burritos have a high midi-chlorian count. Good thing he didn't see me, though. That would've been embarrassing.

Did I mention how good these burritos are? Check it out:
They don't give you many chips, but you really don't need them. You see that thing below the chips? That's a quarter. It's there to give you a sense of how massively awesome this burrito is. Both are shiny, but only one is tasty.
I added this photo in case the quarter didn't convince you how awesome the Super Burrito is.