Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

There are some who say that there are too many strawmen arguments on this blog.

Books are my comfort food!

Giving in to doom is how we fail to fight for ourselves & one another.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

Republicans in disarray!

One way or another, he’s a liar.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

I did not have this on my fuck 2025 bingo card.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Republicans don’t lie to be believed, they lie to be repeated.

You cannot love your country only when you win.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

If you don’t believe freedom is for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom, it is privilege.

Since we are repeating ourselves, let me just say fuck that.

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

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the gop

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

This blog will pay for itself.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

It’s all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Happy Easter!

Reader Interactions

168Comments

  5. 5.

    lamh31

    Happy Easter!!!

    Just came from seeing Clash of the Titans. It was awright! I like the campy original better though. Dude from Avatar played “Perseus”, and while I think he’s really easy on the eyes, I beginning to think he’s a one trick pony. Not much range there. Essentially, he’s bascially a poor man’s Russell Crowe. If you have a role, that Russell Crowe would be great at, but did not have the budget for Russell, then this dude will be much cheaper, but don’t expectmuch depth.

    Still, is was good escapism.

  8. 8.

    lamh31

    Not to bring anyone down this Easter, but today’s date is also an important one in actual American history too, but not in a good way:

    On April 4, 1968 , Dr. Martin Luther Kinj Jr was assassinated in Memphis!

  10. 10.

    Violet

    Cute doggehs! Every time I see Lily compared to another dog or cat, she is so much smaller than I picture her. Catches me by surprise every time. She comes across in her photos as much larger than she is. Little dog, big spirit, I guess. Nice yard, too.

  11. 11.

    RedKitten

    BEAUTIFUL yard — my compliments to your folks.

    And yay! Happy doggies! I love Ginny’s (Ginny’s the one with more reddish markings, right?) little legs frantically bringing up the rear as they barrel towards the house.

  12. 12.

    madmommy

    Figure out a way to bottle and sell all that energy and you’d make a killing! I’m guessing Lily is tuckered out after all that terrier action.

  14. 14.

    lamh31

    Those dogs are too cute. I’ve been seriously comtemplating puppy or kitty ownership myself, if my monetary situation allows it.

    I’ve just haven’t decided which. Unfortunately, I can’t afford both!

  18. 18.

    GReynoldsCT00

    Good to be a doggie on a sunny Easter Sunday in a great yard. Thanks for sharing that!

  19. 19.

    Martin

    Apparently Jesus was just resurrected in Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico. I hope he brought more chocolate bunnies – ours were gone by lunch.

    I’m not sure I’ll ever fully understand this holiday.

  20. 20.

    jeffreyw

    I’m not sure I’ll ever fully understand this holiday.

    Per Tbogg:

    …sleepy-eyed priests staying overnight in Vatican City will be getting up and excitedly looking for the altar boys that the Pope has hidden throughout St. Peter’s Basilica.

  22. 22.

    Bob K

    As people who rely on their Unemployment Benefits watch them expire Rethuglicans play bad cop/good cop. I hope when November comes around people remember that Republicans are ALL douchebags and vote accordingly. First Jim Bunning blocked an the extension. Than A$$HOLE Tom Coburn from Oklahoma (C-Streeter – I’m so Holier Than Thou) blocked them. Now Jon Kyl (Not as crazy as Shelly Bachmann but almost) wants an Unemployment Extension but he hasn’t said how to pay for it. THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!

    DEFICIT DEFICIT DEFICIT.

    We need TAX CUTS TAX CUTS TAX CUTS!!!

    Off with their heads!

  23. 23.

    Hann1bal

    Gods above and below, I love America’s Funniest Home Videos. It’s so much fun watching people fcuk up, and also the other videos, like the two dogs playing piano and singing along. Schadenfreude is so worth it. The only hard part is not laughing so loud that my roommate gets pissed off.

  25. 25.

    Citizen_X

    Great yard for dogs ‘n people alike!

    [Now, if you dumped Tunch into that mix, he’d start burning off some of that body mass–either by being run around, or by applying his Tunch Fu. Okay, yeah, evil thought, but it’s FOR HIS OWN GOOD!]

    Happy Zombie Jesus Day everybody!

  26. 26.

    RedKitten

    @MattR: don’t know if you got my message awhile back, but I looked at Zellers and there were no mittens to be found, I’m afraid. I’ll keep looking. I did see some on eBay, but they’re not cheap.

  27. 27.

    robertdsc

    Apparently Jesus was just resurrected in Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico

    I felt it here in Los Angeles as a rolling motion that lasted quite a while. Most earthquakes are simple shocks. This one was like I was on a boat. Very queasy and shaken afterwards.

  28. 28.

    TEL

    @JeffreyW

    Great pics! The level of detail on the martins was amazing, and the turtle was funny.

  29. 29.

    burnspbesq

    Crap. Da’Sean Butler has a torn ACL, after all.

    Best wishes to him. Hope to see him in the NBA in the 2011-12 season.

  34. 34.

    The Dangerman

    Juicer in SoCal here; that was a LONG fucking quake. Quite the rolling motion. Epicenter is probably 150 miles from where I am right now. I’ve been saying 35 to 40 seconds, but it could have been a minute.

    First time I’ve ever been in a big quake while I was standing in front of the toilet and … ok, I was taking a piss (sorry, TMI, I know); interesting challenge to keep one’s balance and hit a moving target.

  38. 38.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    I live in the “Reverse Brigadoon” county so everybody came into East Bumblefuck to visit the grandparents…”came” means they “came” from, oh, 8-10 miles away. Here in Central Misery, that might as well be halfway around the world.

    It’s the only spring day of the year when all the same OCD, German-descent, Rethug, asshats aren’t mowing their fucking lawns to within an inch of their life, or topping their trees or picking up microscopic specs from the public STREET in front of their house because the disorder just wreaks havoc on their collective minds.

    Or driving around 10 feet from point to point on their ATVs because their fat asses can’t actually walk from Point A to Point B.

    What it meant is that I could do some spring cleaning yardword in peace and fucking quiet. I happen to love $4 a gallon as because it means these fucktards don’t use their 2-stroke motor-driven yard equipment 24/7 and their half-witted teenage kids aren’t driving the ATVs around constantly.

    Appalachia Is A State Of Mind.

    But I’m not bitter.

  39. 39.

    The Dangerman

    LATimes calling it a 7.2 now; the videos from those that were filming their swimming pools at the time is pretty amazing.

  42. 42.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    @ MikeJ:

    50 minutes east of there, 20 minutes east of Jeff City.

    My wife volunteers at the Humane Society in Columbia

    Columbia is a mildly blue place surrounded by a sea of red. The county I live in, same Congressional District as Columbia, is the second reddest county in the state. “We” went 73% for McGrumpy and Bible Spice.

    How I let my wife talk me into moving here is still a mystery.

    It’s like living in Junior High School only these people can vote and own about 45.956 guns each.

  43. 43.

    Bob K

    Ann Coulter – First, Fearless, Free? – come on – didn’t she at LEAST want dinner, a movie and a nice bottle of wine first? Please – a girl’s got to have her standards.

  46. 46.

    MikeJ

    @CSAoR: I know Columbia for the same reason that any 17 year old (at the time) out of stater gets to know it. Just doing my bit to make sure no new columns were built.

  47. 47.

    kay

    It’s the only spring day of the year when all the same OCD, German-descent, Rethug, asshats aren’t mowing their fucking lawns to within an inch of their life, or topping their trees or picking up microscopic specs from the public STREET in front of their house because the disorder just wreaks havoc on their collective minds.

    What it meant is that I could do some spring cleaning yardword in peace and fucking quiet. I happen to love $4 a gallon as because it means these fucktards don’t use their 2-stroke motor-driven yard equipment 24/7

    All true, and very funny.

  49. 49.

    Martin

    Very queasy and shaken afterwards.

    Yeah, I’m getting over a bit of a bug and I’m sitting in my chair feeling queasy wondering ‘fuck, it’s coming back’. I look at my family, they’re not reacting. I look again. Still aren’t reacting. Yup, I’m getting sick again. Then it gets worse and I finally ask ‘Is the room moving or just me?’. This is about 15 seconds in. Then the lamp starts moving a little and then everyone else notices. From the point that I felt it start to when I felt it end was VERY long. Certainly longer than I recall Landers/Big Bear or Northridge.

    And yes, today is official FTFY day. I blame the Yankees for the earthquake. Baby Jesus is angry that douchebags are occupying stadiums en masse again.

  51. 51.

    Leisureguy

    That’s a great video. It reminds me of when I was a little kid and got to see my cousin (who lived in another town): we were both terribly excited, just like Lily and her “cousins”. :)

  52. 52.

    Polish the Guillotines

    @Martin:

    This is about 15 seconds in. … From the point that I felt it start to when I felt it end was VERY long.

    Yikes. I was on the top level of a parking garage in ’89 when the Loma Prieta hit (interestingly, concrete is a lot like a trampoline). That one was 15 seconds total, and it sure felt a helluva lot longer.

    Consider me duly impressed.

  53. 53.

    AnotherBruce

    I’m reposting this from dead thread because I think it is so important to share bathroom humor with y’all.

    I checked out the San Diego Union Trib website for news on the quake. It looks like the quake struck about 120 miles east southeast of San Diego. And then there was this in the comment section:

    I have been, how should I say, slightly irregular lately and so early this morning I took a laxative. I went in and sat down with a good book as I felt the ‘need’ coming and just after starting to read, the ‘quake hit. I was sitting there thinking that laxative is pretty good stuff, but then realized it was only an earthquake.

    For some reason I can’t stop laughing at this. I’m kind of embarrassed that I find this so funny.

  54. 54.

    LuciaMia

    That was one sweet video. Hmm, but what was that hanky-panky going on behind that bush?

  58. 58.

    The Dangerman

    Here’s pretty cool video of a pool in Marina Del Rey (roughly, LAX). What blows me away is it has to take several seconds to get the camera out, get it rolling, etc.

  59. 59.

    debit

    Adorable puppies, John. I too took my pup to my parents. It was a close call as to whether or not my dad was going to let me leave with her. They’ve been petless for about a year now, and Chloe’s story made him suddenly ask about fostering. Heh heh heh.

    I also made a killer dessert that seemed to go over really well, so I count this one in the win column.

  60. 60.

    Chris

    I know…I know. This stuff is old hat and 14 months in I should be used to it. Obama derangement syndrome is alive and well. But how can two people, living in the same world perceive this man so differently? This was in the comments of an AP story about Obama attending church today.
    “If you recall, when questioned about not attending church services, on a regular basis, a week or so ago, Obama answered something like he and Michelle didn’t want to cause disruptions.

    Surprised that Obama and family flip/flopped and attended Easter service?

    There is one thing that is certain…

    Look at the images of Obama…The man projects a face that is… Intense, vicious and cruel.

    Good Karma is not coming from this guy.

    He’s a rabid illusionist.”

    Intense vicious and cruel?? WTF does that look like?
    /rant off

  61. 61.

    MattR

    @RedKitten – Thanks for the effort. Don’t worry about continuing the hunt. I will poke around ebay and see if I find a good deal.

  62. 62.

    Polish the Guillotines

    @The Dangerman:

    What blows me away is it has to take several seconds to get the camera out, get it rolling, etc.

    What blows me away is that the sun is shining and the weather looks beautiful in that video — and what I see out my window is gray skies, gusty winds, and heavy rain.

    Ah, spring arrives in the Bay Area.

  63. 63.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    Happy Easter, all. Saw How to Train Your Dragon today. Really enjoyed. Highly recommend it. Lunch with friends and a nice long walk in the wind. It was a good day.

    So glad to see the cousins running around the yard like crazy dogs should.

  65. 65.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    Surprised that Obama and family flip/flopped and attended Easter service?

    They have a point. Isamofascist terrorists don’t often attend Easter services. now do they? huh

  66. 66.

    HRA

    Sat down to relax after a great Easter dinner with the family. Tiki, my dog, is laying at my feet quietly until I go to the video of the pool Dangerman gave us. Tiki is barking along with the dog in it. I go to JC’s video and the Cole family dogs are running and barking. Tiki jumps up again to join the chorus. Fun!

    Hope everyone had a great day.

  68. 68.

    The Main Gauche of Mild Reason

    @Chris

    Look at the images of Obama…The man projects a face that is… Intense, vicious and cruel.
    Good Karma is not coming from this guy.

    Code for: Negro! I’ve seen these allegations before, and I suspect they are sort of an unconscious form of racism. It reminds me of white supremacists commenting on photos of Jews saying how “sinister” they look (responding to the prominent nose, etc). I seem to remember there was a lot of white supremacist reaction to this photo of Larry Summers.

  70. 70.

    gogol's wife

    Happy Easter! Khristos voskrese! I love Obama! The doggies and Tunch are adorable.

  71. 71.

    Violet

    Code for: Negro! I’ve seen these allegations before, and I suspect they are sort of an unconscious form of racism. It reminds me of white supremacists commenting on photos of Jews saying how “sinister” they look (responding to the prominent nose, etc). I seem to remember there was a lot of white supremacist reaction to this photo of Larry Summers.

    I think people bring their political beliefs to their viewing of photos. I’ve seen plenty of Cheney photos where I think he looks like the very image of snarling evil. However, conservatives of my acquaintance seem to think he looks “tough” or “serious” or “no nonsense.”

    As far as racism goes, I don’t think it’s totally totally to blame. Show those same people a photo of B.B. King or Halle Berry and I doubt the first words out of their mouth would be “intense, vicious, and cruel.”

  72. 72.

    Linda Featheringill

    To HRA:

    My doggie, Tulip, became all worried when I played the video of the swimming pool in the quake [and the frightened dog]. I had to turn the sound down. Sorry, Tulip.

    She did enjoy the dogs in the yard, though.

  73. 73.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    This has been Limbaugh’s line from day one he is an “angry black male” he is “angry at the world” “he wants revenge” both he and Michelle “hate white people and want revenge” you hear it every day on his show, this is the line that the Repubs are going with. Good luck with that.

  74. 74.

    Svensker

    Greek lamb for Easter with more garlic per square pound than Gilroy. My non-Greek friends are going to be keeping their distance tomorrow. Fortunately, it should also keep the vampires away.

    Now I need your help:

    Hafta make dinner for a friend who can eat only chicken or fish for protein, NO onions or garlic or spices (she can handle a few mild herbs), no dairy, no citrus, no vinegar, no tomato, no berries, no beans, no chocolate.

    I know she’s been eating a ton of chicken lately, so was thinking of some fish, since at least there are different kinds of fish. Anybody got any ideas for an interesting fish dish given the parameters?

    And any ideas for desserts that involve no dairy,citrus,berries or chocolate?

    Halp!

  75. 75.

    The Main Gauche of Mild Reason

    @Violet

    I was maybe a little imprecise in what I said. I meant “racism” in the sense of not being familiar with facial features of people of color; so that expressions that would be otherwise unremarkable on a white person are singled out on a black person. I’m sure there is also a Rorschach element to it as well, but I think this particular case has a strong racist element; I don’t recall this sort of thing happening that much to Bill Clinton, or Pelosi, or Reid,etc.

  76. 76.

    scav

    Svensker, Salmon with some sort of Tapenade or maybe a Salmon with a Black Bean sauce? Either strike a chord?

  77. 77.

    Svensker

    Scav — the salmon part sounds good, but she can’t eat tapenade (no olives or garlic) and can’t eat beans (so no black bean sauce).

    Maybe salmon with a dill sauce? On the side so if she can’t eat the dill, the rest of us can!?

  78. 78.

    Fern

    Apple crisp. Or some other crisp or cobbler that involves whatever non-berry fruit you can find. I’m partial to using frozen peaches together with canned sour cherries – for when everything is out of season.

    Having a little more trouble with the fish thing, but maybe something with fresh dill and mushrooms?

    Or how about shrimp stir-fry with some kind of soy based thing?

  80. 80.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    We had roast beef, yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings for easter. Did the roast beef on the rotisserie, it was perfect, brown and crisp on the outside, pale pink on the inside, slightly flat yorkshire pudding seeing as I am making them with egg substitute and fat free half and half, mashed taters, steamed green beans and gravy. With a home made whole wheat french loaf to go with it.

  81. 81.

    New Yorker

    Looking forward to my favorite holiday, opening day tomorrow. And since the Mets suck, I’ll root for schadenfreude and hope that neither of the teams playing at the moment win the AL East. Go Rays!

  82. 82.

    Svensker

    Fern, the apple crisp idea is a good one! Mmmm, sounds good to me, too.

    So, how does this sound?

    Poached salmon with dill sauce
    Steamed Rice
    Roasted asparagus
    Buttered peas (in case she doesn’t like aspargus)
    Baby lettuce salad with olive oil and salt
    Apple or peach crisp

    Seems very mild but not too dull, doesn’t it?

    Fried I’m staying away from because she’s very sensitive to oil. Stir-fry I just can’t imagine without onions or garlic, so no for me on that one.

    Thanks for the ideas everyone. You fed my head.

  83. 83.

    Alice Blue

    Happy Easter to John and all the Juicers. The mister and I went to church and had lunch with my mom. I was a little uneasy about the day since some wingnutty cousins (who I love anyway) also joined us. I knew without a doubt that there would be epic bitching and bloviating about Obama and his socialist/Nazi/communist/Islamist healthcare, but I was pleasantly surprised. Only some mild grumbling, and the cousin who is a huge Palin fan didn’t show up.

  84. 84.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @jeffreyw – you are just tormenting me cause you can aren’t you? I miss fish and chips like the Dickens, and no nothing I make at home can compare to a fish supper from a real live fish and chip shop from the UK, nothing.

  86. 86.

    scav

    Svensker, yeah, the idea of sauce on the side might be the best and easiest way to go especially as there are other guests. I suddenly thought of a mustard sauce as a possibility and googled and this Salmon with Mustard and Brown Sugar Glaze came up Click Here originally from Bon Appétit. Dill would work, this just caught my fancy – think I’m going to make it myself.

    Don’t know how much work you want to put into a dessert but some sort of granita springs to mind. This one is a herb and white wine one and you’d have to back out of the lemon juice. But there should also be just wine granita or maybe a mint one. Technique is all about the same.

  88. 88.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    This is your watb wingnuts America (warning politico link)

    Paul Hodes running for senate in NH.

    At a senior center in Manchester Wednesday, one woman turned away when Hodes offered his outstretched hand for an introduction.

    “I don’t want to shake your hand. You voted for health care, so just go,” snapped Carmen Guimond, as she refocused on her lunch of roast beef and mashed potatoes and waved him on.

    When Hodes decided to stay at the table and launch a defense of what’s considered to be one of the more popular provisions of the law — closing the “donut hole,” a gap in prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients — she challenged whether he had read the entire bill and dismissed his explanation.

    “Two hundred and forty dollars in the first year. That’s all it is,” she said, referring to the initial subsidy. “That’s not much.”

    “And over time, by 2020, it closes the donut hole,” Hodes explained.

    “We’ll all be dead by then,” she deadpanned

    .

    GOP – wats you done for ME party

  89. 89.

    Svensker

    Scav — she can’t have wine either (this poor thing pretty much can’t eat anything!) — but I’m going to make that granita for some other lucky folks soon (and me!). It sounds yummy, refreshing and different.

  90. 90.

    Splitting Image

    Glad to hear your family dinner was a good one. I got called a “right winger” by my sister for supporting pay equity and national day care.

    Apparently that isn’t enough to have liberal cred anymore.

  91. 91.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @jeffreyw – you know when I plated the dinner up tonight I thought I really should take a picture of that, it looks so pretty, but I got really weirded out about taking a photo of my dinner :)

  92. 92.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    I always like Salmon done on the bbq. I take a salmon filet, put it on a piece of foil, drizzle it with olive oil, chopped fresh parsley and chopped fresh lemon balm and a sprinkle of lemon juice. I then turn the foil into a packet and place it on the grill (alongside my husband’s steak) cook for a couple of minutes and serve with a baked potato (on the grill) with sliced onions inside of it.

  94. 94.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    Speaking of dinner. I was in the lawyers lounge this week, waiting for the Judge to get on the bench so my boss could enter a plea for a client. The conversation turned to getting home at night, and someone jokingly said “cause your wife had dinner on the table right?” the lawyer looked and said “you are joking right” the conversation then went around the room and the lawyers all said they basically threw some frozen thing in the microwave or went out. The other female in the room said “he gets Lean Cuisine if he is lucky” I told them that I cooked dinner (from scratch) every night for my husband and they were totally and utterly amazed. They could not believe it. The other female said “I don’t know any woman who does that” Is this the norm now? How can anyone not cook dinner?

  96. 96.

    Violet

    Svensker – I’ve got a very picky eater in my family – some is allergy and some is just general fussiness. This person is a big fan of fish and I’ve learned to go with the very best, freshest fish available.

    As far as salmon goes, try to get wild not farmed – the difference in taste is amazing. It’s a tad early for fresh wild salmon, so mostly it’ll be previously frozen, but it’s still good.

    The wild, not farmed, applies to most fish, although farmed is okay for some (catfish, for instance). But the best thing to do is go to your very best fish place in your area – might be Whole Foods, might be another supermarket, or a specialty store – and ask the fish guys for their help. You’ll get the best, freshest that way. Avoid Mondays because the fish isn’t as fresh.

    Then for cooking, go with something simple – bake in the oven for thicker fish, pan fry in olive oil (can she have that?) for thinner fish. Things like catfish are good if coated in cornmeal, but many have problems with corn so that might not work.

    I’ve done a pan-fry without coating and then dumped a few capers in at the end. They add flavor and your friend might be able to eat them.

    For sauces – ALWAYS serve on the side. You don’t want to accidentally include something in the sauce that she can’t eat and then she can’t eat the fish because it’s baked in the sauce or poured on top.

    I’ll comment on desserts in a second post.

  99. 99.

    Violet

    @ littlebritdifrnt: You’re English. The English cook. Americans don’t cook. I know the cultural stereotype doesn’t work completely, and there are plenty of Americans who cook and English who don’t, but it’s a reasonable working model. When I visit family and friends in the UK, it’s always a bit of a shock how many people cook compared to how many people either eat out, order in, or zap something in the microwave here in the US.

  100. 100.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    What does “your comment is awaiting moderation” mean?

    It means fuck you fucking wordpress, or FYFW. That you used a spam word in your comment, or that you didn’t and only the FSM knows why. (Flying Spaghetti Monster) that controls this blog and the tides.

    Cole will be along to release your comment when he gets his fat ass offin the couch.

  102. 102.

    Violet

    Svensker – about dessert.

    Double check with your friend as to whether or not she can eat wheat. A lot of people on special diets can’t and it’s usually part of the topping for a crisp, crumble or cobbler. The crisps might be primarily oats, but usually some wheat flour is tossed in, along with butter (dairy), to hold the topping together. And sugar is used – might be another problem.

    If you are near a Whole Foods or other specialty store, go look in the ice cream section for “ice cream” made from coconut milk. They also use agave as a sweetener, not sugar, so it’s lower on the glycemic index. I like Coconut Bliss and also Purely Decadent. The Cookie Dough flavor is gluten-free and the Mango is very yummy. The plain vanilla (from either brand) might be a nice “a la mode” option for the crisp and if it turns out she can’t eat the crisp then she could have the coconut ice cream.

    Speaking of mango, they’re in season right now and you could cut several of them up – that’s a delicious dessert right there.

  104. 104.

    The Moar You Know

    Just a quick word about the earthquake; I was right on top of Loma Prieta in 1989 (I was in downtown Santa Cruz, which was leveled). I’m in San Diego now. Today’s quake was the same kind of rolling, being on a boat kind of feeling, but not nearly as intense – I didn’t bother to get off the couch. It was maybe thirty seconds at the most.

    Beats the shit out of being in a collapsing building, I can say that from real-world experience.

  105. 105.

    Martin

    How can anyone not cook dinner?

    I agree. We’ll eat out about once a week and we’ll get something easy about once a week, but the other meals we cook. It’s really not that hard. The single biggest challenge to cooking regularly isn’t the act itself – the time or difficulty – but the ability to keep groceries at hand. It usually takes longer to get some missing ingredient from the store than to actually prepare the meal.

    Another big challenge in the US is that massive swaths of the country eat dinner right around 5PM. When I went off to college I was shocked that the cafeteria *closed* at 6PM (it opened at 4PM). In NY I usually ate closer to 8PM – sometimes 10PM, sometimes even later. When you’ve wired dinner to coincide to when work ends, cooking is a bit of a time challenge.

  108. 108.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    @ Violet – I can’t fathom it to be honest, eating out, microwaving something, etc., is such a huge waste of money and unhealthy to boot. I want to know what my husband is eating, if I make it from scratch then I know that. I have him on such a strict diet right now that despite the fact that he couldn’t do cardio rehab for a month due to gall bladder surgery he STILL lost 12lbs, his cardio rehab guy was amazed, the only down side is I am gonna have to buy him a new wardrobe.

  109. 109.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Just noticed another new (to me) tag: “I can see Russia from this blog” (or maybe it was “from *my* blog,” can’t recall and now, of course, it’s gone).

    Is there a tag “In what respect, Charlie?”? If not, there really should be. Those Caribou droppings just never get old.

  110. 110.

    madmommy

    mr. whipple-It started out rough but is turning into quite a game. Gino looks like his head’s about to pop. Heh!

    Plus the Sox have made a comeback and are tied with the Evil Empire in the 7th.

  111. 111.

    valdivia

    Happy easter everyone. I am sure I am repeating something people already asked but what the hell is up with the two bars on top of the comment box. I haz a confused.

  112. 112.

    mr. whipple

    madmommy: Yes, this tightened nicely. We’ll see if Baylor can make a run back.

  113. 113.

    JGabriel

    Re: Earthquake in So. Cal.

    I hope Buffy gets back there to close the Hellmouth! ‘Cause that earthquake shit in Sunnydale always means the world is ending.

    .

  114. 114.

    Svensker

    Violet — thanks for all the thought and ideas. She does eat wheat and she can have some butter, just not a lot. I’ve worked out a crisp recipe using oil with just a bit of butter, so that should work OK. Will definitely check out the coconut ice cream — that sounds good anyway. Did not think of looking at Whole Foods for frozen foods that don’t have dairy — duh.

    I love mango. When we lived in Hudson Co. NJ we were near a very Cuban area, and there was a produce truck that would go around — you could buy a case of mangoes for just a few dollars in season. Perfectly ripe. Wow. I don’t think this girl could eat a mango if she tried. She tried cantaloupe for the FIRST time a few weeks ago after the doctor took her off berries and citrus. She hated it at first, but now can tolerate it and is starting to think it tastes OK. How can you be an American in your 40s and never have had cantaloupe?

  115. 115.

    mr. whipple

    I am sure I am repeating something people already asked but what the hell is up with the two bars on top of the comment box. I haz a confused

    Don’t even think about touching the top set, or the whole thread blows up.

  116. 116.

    madmommy

    mr. whipple-I’d like to see Baylor pull off a win here, it would be huge! Mulkey is a good coach, I’ve followed her since her career began at La. Tech.

  118. 118.

    Violet

    Svensker – does she have some kind of specific health issues that mean she can’t eat things, or is she just picky? You could cut up the mango and she could eat the cubes with a fork. Easy to do and yummy. She might surprise you!

  121. 121.

    madmommy

    mr. whipple-It’s getting to the point that cheering for UConn is akin to cheering the Yankees. I’m not entirely convinced that the type of domination UConn displays is good for the women’s game overall. And Gino’s somewhat of an ass. Also.

  122. 122.

    burnspbesq

    Order appears to have been restored in San Antonio.

    UConn is up by 15 with six minutes to go.

    Not that I care for UConn that much. But the Baylor wound is fresher. Griner needs to get her world rocked. Only a freshman, but already the dirtiest player in the game.

  123. 123.

    mr. whipple

    mr. whipple-It’s getting to the point that cheering for UConn is akin to cheering the Yankees.

    I agree with that. In this case I’m going North vs South.

  124. 124.

    Svensker

    Violet –

    does she have some kind of specific health issues that mean she can’t eat things, or is she just picky?

    Both. Always been food phobic, anorexic as a teen, disgusted by anything new, different or exotic as an adult. But she was also recently diagnosed with some inflammatory gastric issues, GRG, spastic colon, etc. Doctor has banned a huge list of foods until the inflammation is under control.

    I always wonder whether people with those kinds of problems dislike food because their bodies can’t handle them; or whether their bodies can’t handle them because of mental/emotional issues. Or whether they are super-tasters, or something. There needs to be more research done on that.

    A friend of my son’s, age about 14, was spending the night at our house once and the only thing he could eat was pizza — everything else was too “gross” (including hot dogs, burgers, steak, chicken, etc.). So we got pizza. But then somehow or other, some ketchup touched his pizza — he was so grossed out that he actually vomited. Did not eat or drink anything except water the whole time he was at our house.

  125. 125.

    madmommy

    Baylor is still playing hard, even though I’m sure they know it’s futile. Anyone think Stanford has a snowball’s chance in hell against UConn?

  128. 128.

    J. Michael Neal

    I don’t like women’s basketball any more than I like any other kind of basketball. However, I root for teams with women coaches. Until men’s sports opens its doors to coaches of all sexes, I do have a problem with men coaching women’s teams. If they want to do that, then they should work their asses off to bring parity to men’s sports. Until that happens, they should shut the fuck up and at least allow women to have as many coaching opportunities as men by getting the hell out of the women’s game.

  131. 131.

    Svensker

    here’s a soggy hummingbird for y’all.

    Trollhattan, that is beautiful — great shot!

    Good night, all. And I can honestly say, thanks for all the fish!

  136. 136.

    Dee Loralei

    Svensker, yikes, I can’t remember your list of your friends can not eats. But I smoke salmon with maple syrup and cracked peppercorns rubbed on the flesh side and it would be fine poached, with some wine or even water or broiled the same way. Some brown rice cooked in a chicken broth for flavor ( since you can’t use onion or butter, etc). and maybe some green beans? Some people don’t like asparagus, though that is blasphemy to me.

    The ice cream and fresh fruit or a cobbler or something along those lines sound good too. Or you can get a frozen pound cake and make some vanilla pudding and whipped cream. Toss in some fresh fruit and call it a trifle. Or a faux tiramisu, with lady fingers instead of the pound cake and sprinkle chocolate shavings, or chocolate milk powder. Depends on how much time and effort you’re willing to expend.

    A simple good sauce for many fish dishes is a raita, Greeks, Middle Easterners and Indians all have similar sauces. Plain yogurt, cucumber, dill, lemon, (or also parsley, oregano.) It’s refreshing and cooling and quite healthy. Different herbs and it makes a good salad dressing.

    But if I were looking for bonus points with my friends, I’d take the wee bit extra time to make the tiramisu or the trifle. They look beautiful and time consuming. And it’s the last thing your guest sees and tastes, make it special.

  137. 137.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    How can anyone not cook dinner?

    I love you guys. THIS! Just ’cause if I had my way, everyone would figure out cooking doesn’t have to be difficult to be tasty.

  140. 140.

    madmommy

    The Yankees lose. May this be the beginning of a long and futile losing streak :) And now to sleep..

  141. 141.

    Yutsano

    everyone would figure out cooking doesn’t have to be difficult to be tasty.

    Everyone thinks you have to make the cover of Gourmet magazine every time you cook a meal. The most impressive thing you can do when you cook for someone is show that you invested the time and energy even if it doesn’t look perfect. Mock Rachael Ray all you want, but she did more to advance the idea that cooking could be both good and simple in the last decade than anyone else. All that matters is that you cook with love.

  144. 144.

    burnspbesq

    @madmommy:

    Anyone think Stanford has a snowball’s chance in hell against UConn?

    If Appel can get Charles in early foul trouble, and if everything Stanford throws up goes in, it could be pretty interesting. UConn’s dirty secret right now is that Moore and Charles are carrying them, with minimal help from the rest of the team. If one of those two goes off the rails, UConn is at least a little bit vulnerable.

    Sanford has more of a chance than Butler. ;-)

  146. 146.

    Anne Laurie

    It’s the only spring day of the year when all the same OCD, German-descent, Rethug, asshats aren’t mowing their fucking lawns to within an inch of their life, or topping their trees or picking up microscopic specs from the public STREET in front of their house because the disorder just wreaks havoc on their collective minds.

    You know, I can’t hardly wait to see how our Honorable Bloghost reacts to having his very own yard to expend his neatnik efforts. Imagine if the notorious ‘mopping while naked’ incident involved a leaf blower?

  147. 147.

    Anne Laurie

    Lamh31:

    I’ve been seriously comtemplating puppy or kitty ownership myself, if my monetary situation allows it.
    __
    I’ve just haven’t decided which. Unfortunately, I can’t afford both!

    Cats are cheaper (even on a pound-per-pound basis). Dogs, on the other hand, will force you to take healthful exercise in the beautiful outdoors, whether or not you actually want to do so. While more people are allergic to cats than dogs, if you’re a renter, I would definitely go with the Kitty Option.

  148. 148.

    trollhattan

    @ Svensker, jeffreyw, General Egali Tarian Stuck,

    Thanks mucho. Lots of brave subjects+lots of frames=a couple keepers. I could never afford bird photography during the film era :-)

  149. 149.

    Yutsano

    Imagine if the notorious ‘mopping while naked’ incident involved a leaf blower?

    There had better be both photographic and video evidence of that happenstance should it occur. We shall need much delicious mocking material for next year’s holiday gathering.

  150. 150.

    drainflake77

    lamh31:

    got a Savannah Cat for sale, priced to move – say, free!

    if that’s too much, i’m negotiable

  151. 151.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    Dogs, on the other hand, will force you to take healthful exercise in the beautiful outdoors, whether or not you actually want to do so.

    LOL, Tell me about it. Charlie is very low maintenance and doesn’t expect much more than some petting and food and water. Except when it comes to his daily walk. And I do mean daily. He gets very animated when it’s time, emitting all sorts of wimpers, groans and penetrating stares.

    I have always taken walks, but not every single day. A weight control exercise program with four paws and persistence that can’t be refused.

  152. 152.

    asiangrrlMN

    General Stuck, pics, plz. It’s been way too long since we’ve seen the gorgeous Charlie.

    Cole, love to see Lily frolicking with the G dogs!

    I don’t cook because I’m a lazy bitch who would rather not cook for one person–moi.

    Svensker, that’s a fascinating question–which came first? Internal body issues or eating disorders? Will have to ponder some more.

    Yutsano, hi, hon. You’ll be in AZ afore you know it.

    jeffreyw, bad enough you taunt me with your tempting dinners on a daily basis, now you give me a food pr0n site? Sigh.

  153. 153.

    Yutsano

    I don’t cook because I’m a lazy bitch who would rather not cook for one person—moi.

    It’s also much easier to get your feminine wiles to get someone else to do the heavy lifting/cooking. I’m sure you have a harem boy or three for just this exact purpose.

    I just realized FH # 1 is gonna have a shitfit when he opens his work e-mail tomorrow. We’ve been going at it rather heavily.

  154. 154.

    asiangrrlMN

    Yutsano, I have joked about being a dominatrix so I could get my house cleaned. Mebbe I can add cooking to that list. Heh. I only date people who cook. It’s a requirement of mine.

    As for FH#1, hey, we’re entertaining him. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

  155. 155.

    Yutsano

    I have joked about being a dominatrix so I could get my house cleaned. Mebbe I can add cooking to that list.

    I think you just proved my point. My work here is done.

    BTW my brother rented a car to go out of town this weekend. Very very sweet overpriced ride. A Dodge Charger. $40,000 and he couldn’t figure out why the hell it cost so much when there wasn’t much to make it stand out from other sedans the same size. I personally hated the seat, too hard for my comfort.

  158. 158.

    Martin

    Well, to be fair, the Charger was instrumental in the greatest car chase ever filmed. It was an ugly, but goddamn hot car in its day. Vintage Chargers go upward of 100K.

    Trying to reclaim lost glory with modern engines is pointless, as anyone who’s spent a sunday installing a Holley carb can tell you. Although, if you handed me the keys to an Exige, I’d be a very happy boy.

  159. 159.

    Martin

    I would like a harem of seven men and women. I would name them for the days of the week.

    That is BOBlike in its presentation, you realize.

  161. 161.

    Yutsano

    @burnspbesq:

    A shame, really. He might have had a chance to experience earthly delights beyond his reckoning. But enough about my cookies…

  162. 162.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @Martin:

    But the new engines are great for those having a late middle age crisis. ;)

    I don’t look back by looking forward. New tech, even if it uses old school engines, is still new. I like a mix of new tech and old school, running both in an old car.

    Nothing like rebuilding your Carter ThermoQuad every five years to make you feel young. Same with rebuilding and beefing up the suspension and running gear. I take my cars to the shop for tires and that’s it, I do everything else and I mean everything.

    Reading Hot Rod mag tonight and had to laugh when reading a tech response from a reader regarding the various ignition systems available. The tech guy gives a general description of the differences between inductive and capacitive ignitions and that either can utilize analog or digital controls (or a mix) and at the end of the article he notes that points-type ignitions will survive a nuke.

    At least one of my cars will keep running when we get nuked. :)

  164. 164.

    Svensker

    @ Dee Loralei

    You salmon w/ maple syrup and pepper sounds delish. Do you have a smoker or did you rig something? When we lived in salmon country, my dad actually built a smokehouse (using material he’d salvaged from the town dump, natch).

    And maybe I should check with her about the asparagus…

    The trifle/tiramisu sounds heavenly, but she can’t eat dairy or chocolate.

    Thanks for all the good ideas!

  167. 167.

    Liz

    We had doggie visitors too! Two lovely and large German Shepherds. My dogs (corgis) behaved exceptionally well because the shepherds refused to chase them around, I think. Overall a very happy Easter for all.

  168. 168.

    asiangrrlMN

    Martin, take that back!

    burnsbesq, damn right! Comparing me to B.o.B. Harumph.

    Yutsano, wait, who said you got to be in on the deal? Oh, you’re making cookies? Bring ’em. You can be the den mother, making sure all the boys and girls are rested up.

    RedKitten, get that kid in pictures!

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