I was just offered a Ferrero Rocher and as I hurriedly unwrapped the golden foil I pondered what the correct etiquette for consuming such a delectable item is.
See, the trouble with consumables made in the 'mouthful' size range is that whilst it's fine to shovel one in whole when you're on your own and nobody else can see you, it can often be perceived as being greedy and gluttonous when in company.
But to take bites out of something that can be consumed in one hit seems silly and time wasting... not to mention it probably looks like someone imitating a rat, gnawing on a chunk of cheese. Besides, why would you bite in to something which has a fragile shell, and nut pieces which will inevitably fall off when disturbed from their chocolate setting, hence running the risk of losing parts of aforementioned delectable item?
Stuff appearance and etiquette.. just woof the chocolate down!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
One man's trash...
...should often be considered everyone's trash!
I have a routine of going to the Dodgers car boot sale during the sun-rising hours of the second Sunday of each month. This is one of the largest boot sales on the Gold Coast, and many a bargain find has been achieved over the years - everything from electrical appliances, to baby furniture and home decor items. But it never ceases to amaze me the amount of sheer crap that is on display in anticipation of being sold.
Many items are damaged, not in working order, rusty, missing parts, old and smelly and even mouldy, and some are just downright dangerous. This weekend past I saw a bloke walk away from the sales with a half spool of curling ribbon, tin of paint which looked as though it had been hidden in someone's garage for about 25 years, and a rusty and chipped saw. In the case of the saw, an item you can pick up new from Bunnings for about ten bucks, why would you even consider buying a relict old piece of junk from a boot sale (unless of course it was purchased for it's "character", but I'm seriously doubting that!)?
I'm not sure what's worse - that someone is willing to sell this stuff, or that someone is willing to buy it.
I have a routine of going to the Dodgers car boot sale during the sun-rising hours of the second Sunday of each month. This is one of the largest boot sales on the Gold Coast, and many a bargain find has been achieved over the years - everything from electrical appliances, to baby furniture and home decor items. But it never ceases to amaze me the amount of sheer crap that is on display in anticipation of being sold.
Many items are damaged, not in working order, rusty, missing parts, old and smelly and even mouldy, and some are just downright dangerous. This weekend past I saw a bloke walk away from the sales with a half spool of curling ribbon, tin of paint which looked as though it had been hidden in someone's garage for about 25 years, and a rusty and chipped saw. In the case of the saw, an item you can pick up new from Bunnings for about ten bucks, why would you even consider buying a relict old piece of junk from a boot sale (unless of course it was purchased for it's "character", but I'm seriously doubting that!)?
I'm not sure what's worse - that someone is willing to sell this stuff, or that someone is willing to buy it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nicknames
Nicknames... have you got one? Do you refuse to acknowledge the one you have? C'mon tell me, what is it?
Of course I'm referring to those terms of endearment graced upon you by others, as either a bastardisation of your name, or some cutesy type reminder of some embarrassing childhood moment as opposed to those macho self-indulgent screen names you generate as the staple identity of your online persona.
I bought this topic up because of a comment on my last blog post where I was referred to as Manda-Panda. I really haven't heard that in about 15 years when a classmate used to bellow it out across the room in an attempt to reduce me to a quivering puddle of embarrassment. In addition to the simplistic variations on my name (Mandy, Manda) it often became Mandy-Moo or as per my parents nickname for me, Lou (shortened from my middle name, Louise).
Other than that, I don't believe I've ever had another nickname bestowed upon me... and somehow I don't think Bitch falls in to this category!
Of course I'm referring to those terms of endearment graced upon you by others, as either a bastardisation of your name, or some cutesy type reminder of some embarrassing childhood moment as opposed to those macho self-indulgent screen names you generate as the staple identity of your online persona.
I bought this topic up because of a comment on my last blog post where I was referred to as Manda-Panda. I really haven't heard that in about 15 years when a classmate used to bellow it out across the room in an attempt to reduce me to a quivering puddle of embarrassment. In addition to the simplistic variations on my name (Mandy, Manda) it often became Mandy-Moo or as per my parents nickname for me, Lou (shortened from my middle name, Louise).
Other than that, I don't believe I've ever had another nickname bestowed upon me... and somehow I don't think Bitch falls in to this category!
Run, Forrest, Run.
I had somewhat of a Gump day yesterday - I just wanted to run and run and run, but due to the physical inhibitors (also known as one borked heart) I was restricted to just couple of hundred meters during my walk around the campus Ring Road. The whole journey only took 20 minutes and felt somewhat anti-climactic upon conclusion in all honesty. The heart did have a few backflip sessions with a rate >180bpm but nothing significant or concerning. Which makes me wonder why I'm still having so many problems with it lately - where it feels like it's about to beat right out of my chest and have rhythmic pulsations to enable it to jump itself down the road.
But there must have been some physiological stir in the 20 minutes of outdoor adventure - my right shin and muscles around my waist are aching something chronically today. And whilst I'm finding it difficult to even stand up from my desk, it's knowing that the discomfort (not pain!) will subside and I can try again, pushing harder, further and aiming for less and less strain each time.
Now, to maintain some level of encouragement and enthusiasm. I'm thinking of focussing on the benefit of at least being out of the office, away from my confines and away from rage-inducing people for that brief period of time. That ought to be enough to keep me going for a while I hope.
But there must have been some physiological stir in the 20 minutes of outdoor adventure - my right shin and muscles around my waist are aching something chronically today. And whilst I'm finding it difficult to even stand up from my desk, it's knowing that the discomfort (not pain!) will subside and I can try again, pushing harder, further and aiming for less and less strain each time.
Now, to maintain some level of encouragement and enthusiasm. I'm thinking of focussing on the benefit of at least being out of the office, away from my confines and away from rage-inducing people for that brief period of time. That ought to be enough to keep me going for a while I hope.
