• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I like you, you’re my kind of trouble.

White supremacy is terrorism.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

People are complicated. Love is not.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

Everybody saw this coming.

After roe, women are no longer free.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Consistently wrong since 2002

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Mobile Menu

  • Winnable House Races
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • Balloon Juice 2023 Pet Calendar (coming soon)
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • War in Ukraine
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • 2021-22 Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread

Open Thread

by John Cole|  November 27, 20093:57 pm| 46 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

FacebookTweetEmail

By request.

BTW- I think I want to mull some cider tomorrow. Any tips or suggestions or advice?

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « What Is Good For Priests is Good for Filmmakers
Next Post: He’s Talking To You, Chuck »

Reader Interactions

46Comments

  1. 1.

    licensed to kill time

    November 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    Let me mull it over…

  2. 2.

    MTmofo

    November 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    Pittsburgh vs West Virginia tonite. Who ya got?

  3. 3.

    licensed to kill time

    November 27, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Buy the way, what do you request we buy? ;-)

  4. 4.

    ScottRock

    November 27, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Orange, cinnamon, cloves. For a quart of cider, try four slices of orange, one stick, and maybe ten cloves. Throw in cider and boil; serve quickly.

    Try toasting the cinnamon and cloves in a dry pan over medium heat prior to putting them in the cider (you’ll know they’re done when the cloves inflate to twice their size).

  5. 5.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    November 27, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    Any tips or suggestions or advice?

    I got nuthin.

  6. 6.

    JenJen

    November 27, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    Make some cider, sure, but for merrier guests, make Glühwein!

  7. 7.

    erlking

    November 27, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    @ScottRock:This and
    add Calvados or rum, preferably Calvados.

  8. 8.

    sj

    November 27, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Simmer cider w cloves, whole allspice berries and cinnamon sticks. If you’re feeling daring, a couple of slices fresh ginger.

    Serve w a grating of nutmeg and slug of Meyer’s dark rum.

  9. 9.

    John Cole

    November 27, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    @MTmofo: Pitt is the better team, but a home game for WVU with a hostile crowd. I’m locked in my house and not venturing out (other than potty breaks for Lily) until the mayhem ends tomorrow.

  10. 10.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 27, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Doesn’t the phrase “Buy request” more appropriately belong in your earlier shopping thread?

  11. 11.

    jeffreyw

    November 27, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    Because there is never enough dressing.

  12. 12.

    MikeJ

    November 27, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    Ugh. I’m logey from turkey leftover lunch. Too drowsy to put wheels on bike.

    Last night in the middle of the night, I decided to see if I could lay my hands on the animatronic hamster, thinking 1am would be a time with fewer crazed people and I could get it, if it existed, in relative peace.

    The Toys R Us had been open for over an hour by the time I got there. The line to check out ran completely around the interior perimeter of the store. And they were out of the toy anyway.

    Of course I had made up my own name, zuzu the magic rat, and have for several days been singing the jingle that I made up, which in each iteration adds new special powers to the rat that could fly. Zuzu the dancing rat. Etc.

    My version is now much, much better than the actual product that runs in a wheel and drives a car. Of course it is theoretically possible to get the one that is on commercial offer. This however is not really an issue for muchkins that decide they now want sing, dancing, flying, magic rats.

    So if you would like to disappoint your children, I can, for the price of an animatronic hamster, come over and sing the jingles and tell the funny stories about the magic rat and make them want something that doesn’t exist. Then you can teach them how hard life is.

  13. 13.

    The Bearded Blogger

    November 27, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    HOW DEMOCRATS GAIN SEATS IN 2010, WIN IN 2012 AND BEYOND

    Step one is Barack Obama starts casually mentioning how he is in favor of commonsensical, death-preventing measures, like so:

    “The best thing I ever did was to quit smoking”

    “I guess a large helping of bacon once in a while is okay, but I certainly wouldn’t eat bacon every meal”

    “We liberals care for life, that is why we look both ways before crossing the street, wear seatbelts, and respect speed limits”

    The rest of the process is left to Beck, Rush and the teabaggers, may they rest in peace.

  14. 14.

    IndyLib

    November 27, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Cooking up a Greek Thanksgiving a day late due to family situation – Dolmades with avegalemono, leg of lamb with garlic inserted in slits cut in the meat, basted in greek olive oil, lemon juice, and greek oregano, lemon rice pilafi, greek potatoes, fassoulakia yahni – greek green beans cooked with tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, sugar, and parsley, and pecan pie and homemade baklava. It will be done in an hour, can’t wait.

    As far as mulled cider, if you use nutmeg, don’t use that ground crap in bottle, use real nutmeg nuts and grate it with a micro-plane grater. The taste isn’t even in the same universe.

  15. 15.

    freelancer (itouch)

    November 27, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    @The Bearded Blogger:

    You sir, are a master baiter.

  16. 16.

    Mnemosyne

    November 27, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    If you’re lazy like me, you can actually buy mulling spices in teabags. I’m not sure where mine are at the moment, but I think they’re by Twinings.

    It’s 1:30 in the afternoon and I’m still in my pajamas. I love long weekends.

  17. 17.

    Brachiator

    November 27, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    I think I want to mull some cider tomorrow. Any tips or suggestions or advice?

    Isn’t this why God invented the InterTubes?

    Interesting crockpot cider recipe here:

    Combine cider, sugar, ginger and orange in slow cooker. Tie cinnamon and cloves in a small cheesecloth bag; add to crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 2 to 4 hours. The entire house will smell great! Remove the bag of spices. In a mug put a shot of brandy, then fill with hot mix from cooker.

    Personally, I would just have the shot of brandy and leave it at that.

  18. 18.

    The Bearded Blogger

    November 27, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    @IndyLib: Oh my god, that sounds amazing!

  19. 19.

    Mnemosyne

    November 27, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    I think the Trader Joe’s stores closest to our gracious host are in Ohio, but you can also buy pre-made mulled cider from them if you’re feeling really, really lazy (and sometimes I am).

  20. 20.

    JenJen

    November 27, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    @IndyLib:

    fassoulakia yahni – greek green beans cooked with tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, sugar, and parsley

    Mmmmm… I can taste them right now. In my extended Greek family, we knew they were called “yahni” but would always refer to them as “Green Beans Unusual”. :-)

  21. 21.

    Hugh Batchaw

    November 27, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Homemade Cider:
    http://thepauperedchef.com/2009/11/the-final-word-for-now-on-homemade-hard-cider.html

  22. 22.

    Ed in NJ

    November 27, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    As a Rutgers grad first and a Big East fan second, I have to put aside my usual rooting interest in West Virginia and hatred of Pitt. The Big East needs to shut up the naysayers and put two teams in the BCS this year, and to do that, Pitt needs to beat WV and perhaps Cincinnati next week.

    Its sucks, but it is what it is. But with Pitt on the precipice of the BCS, I’m sure WV would love to pay Pitt back for ruining their shot at the NC in ’07.

  23. 23.

    freelancer (itouch)

    November 27, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    Okay,

    I hate the bcs, so here’s what I’m praying for:

    Alabama loses to auburn, but beats Florida in the sec championship.

    Texas loses to Nebraska next week.

    TCU and Cinncinatti play for the national championship.

    I want a complete clusterfuck, and for Obama to say, “I told you so.”

  24. 24.

    burnspbesq

    November 27, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    @Ed in NJ:

    So here’s what needs to happen.

    Pitt has to lose today and then beat Cincy next week.

    Bama has to lose to Auburn today and then beat Florida in the SEC title game.

    OU has to beat OSU.

    Texas has to lose to Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.

    Georgia Tech has to lose – doesn’t matter whether they lose to the Dawgs or the Tiggers.

    And, voila – TCU vs. Boise State for the National Championship.

  25. 25.

    freelancer (itouch)

    November 27, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    And a pony, don’t forget the pony.

    And a miata.

  26. 26.

    Shawn

    November 27, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Mull it and add a dash of The Captain. I was so surprised to find out how good spiced rum and hot cider are. Report your findings! Arrgh!

  27. 27.

    dr. luba

    November 27, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    If you’re really lazy, all you need (in addition to cider) is Captain Morgan and some pumpkin pie spice. Add spices, mull (low heat in crock pot), and then pour in the rum near the end. You don’t want all the alcohol to evaporate. If you want to make it look like you slaved over the cider, toss in a couple of cinnamon sticks.

  28. 28.

    Zuzu's Petals

    November 27, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    No advice on mulling, but for anyone who loves tea, I recommend Da Cha Teas.

    Disclaimer: I know the proprietors. They are incredibly knowledgeable and have fantastic taste.

  29. 29.

    IndyLib

    November 27, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    @The Bearded Blogger:
    Thank you, just taking it out of the oven. I hope it tastes as good as it smells.
    @JenJen:
    I call them sweet and sour green beans, I love ’em.

  30. 30.

    Yutsano

    November 27, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    @burnspbesq: As a BSU Alum, that would bring massive joy to my heart. I can only imagine the party on the Smurf Turf afterwards! Plus I have a friend who’s a fellow alum who’s also fairly well off who would be at that game in a heartbeat.

  31. 31.

    Yutsano

    November 27, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    @burnspbesq: Point of interest: The last team to score for Alabama – Auburn is gonna win it. It’s gonna be one of those kinds of games.

    BTW is anyone else being prompted to download WP after submitting a comment?

  32. 32.

    licensed to kill time

    November 27, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    @Yutsano: Well, let me try….(BTW, that would scare me!)

  33. 33.

    licensed to kill time

    November 27, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    @Yutsano: Nope. Weird!

  34. 34.

    tinat

    November 27, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    My suggestion? Skip the cider and mull some wine!

    A Beaujolais or even cheap chianti mulls well with all the spices listed above

  35. 35.

    ruemara

    November 27, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    martinelli’s, cinnamon, ginger slices, orange slices, clove, nutmeg and love.

  36. 36.

    General Winfield Stuck

    November 27, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    Netflix DVD delivery has turned to shit lately. That is all.

  37. 37.

    The Bearded Blogger

    November 27, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    @freelancer (itouch): Should I give myself a hand?

  38. 38.

    Kirk Spencer

    November 27, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Sure, John, I’ve a few suggestions for mulling.

    Suggestion one: get a clean quart jar into which you put your choice of mulling spices then fill with cider and put in the refrigerator. The next day fill a mug with the result and microwave it every time you’re thirsty.

    Suggestion two is a hint – the spices don’t matter. Oh, they do, but what you’re doing is enhancing the cider. The masala set — cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, black peppercorn, and cloves — produces a great taste. (If, and only if, you like ‘hot’ add a bit of cayenne as well.) Pick some spices that enhance the fruitiness while cutting the cloying effect of the syrup.

  39. 39.

    Yutsano

    November 27, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Bama barely wins. Off to do housework. Have fun y’all.

  40. 40.

    burnspbesq

    November 27, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Duke up nine on UConn at the half. Me likee.

  41. 41.

    freelancer (itouch)

    November 27, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    The sky outside right now is vivid pink. It’s surreal. I wish my digital camera hadn’t taken a dump on me.

  42. 42.

    Comrade Darkness

    November 27, 2009 at 6:16 pm

    Interesting article in the Sydney Morning Herald about the human psychology (denial of death) around global warming denial. The phenomenon explains Palinista behavior well too, I think.

    In 1973 the cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker proposed that the fear of death drives us to protect ourselves with ”vital lies” or ”the armour of character”. We defend ourselves from the ultimate terror by engaging in immortality projects, which boost our self-esteem and grant us meaning that extends beyond death.
    …
    More than 300 studies conducted in 15 countries appear to confirm Becker’s thesis. When people are confronted with images or words or questions that remind them of death they respond by shoring up their world view, rejecting people and ideas that threaten it, and increasing their striving for self-esteem.

  43. 43.

    freelancer (itouch)

    November 27, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    This kid Rex Burkhead is something to be reckoned with, even as a true freshman. If he avoids injury, he’s going pro, no doubt about that.

  44. 44.

    Notorious P.A.T.

    November 27, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Oh, John, tonight is part 1 of the two-part “Monk” series finale.

  45. 45.

    Quaker in a Basement

    November 27, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Do I understand correctly? You’re mulling mulling?

  46. 46.

    Ked

    November 27, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    Leave that poor cider alone!

    What did it ever do to you?

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Fundraising 2023-24

Wis*Dems Supreme Court + SD-8

Recent Comments

  • Frankensteinbeck on Late Night Open Thread: ‘Leader’ McConnell’s Troops Are Restless (Mar 23, 2023 @ 7:50am)
  • Baud on Thursday Morning Open Thread: Ramadan Kareem! (Mar 23, 2023 @ 7:46am)
  • Baud on Thursday Morning Open Thread: Ramadan Kareem! (Mar 23, 2023 @ 7:45am)
  • Elizabelle on Late Night Open Thread: ‘Leader’ McConnell’s Troops Are Restless (Mar 23, 2023 @ 7:44am)
  • OzarkHillbilly on Thursday Morning Open Thread: Ramadan Kareem! (Mar 23, 2023 @ 7:42am)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
We All Need A Little Kindness
Classified Documents: A Primer
State & Local Elections Discussion

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Twitter / Spoutible

Balloon Juice (Spoutible)
WaterGirl (Spoutible)
TaMara (Spoutible)
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
TaMara
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
ActualCitizensUnited

Join the Fight!

Join the Fight Signup Form
All Join the Fight Posts

Balloon Juice Events

5/14  The Apocalypse
5/20  Home Away from Home
5/29  We’re Back, Baby
7/21  Merging!

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!