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You are here: Home / Open Threads / To prepare for reading Douthat:

To prepare for reading Douthat:

by Sarah, Proud and Tall|  September 29, 20121:05 am| 82 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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1 measure Pimm’s or Pimm’s Winter
3 measures lemonade or ginger ale or ginger beer, or soda water with one measure of sugar syrup
ice
maraschino cherries
lemon or orange slices
cucumber slices
mix, drink.

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Previous Post: « This heavy-headed revel, east and west, makes us traduced and tax’d of other nations
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Reader Interactions

82Comments

  1. 1.

    Villago Delenda Est

    September 29, 2012 at 1:07 am

    Hmmm…seems like I picked the wrong week to stop huffing PAM.

  2. 2.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 1:14 am

    Assuming this is an open thread:

    From Joyess, previous thread: “Have I told anyone lately that this joint is my go-to blog and that I love it here? It’s true. I love all the funny and righteous people and I generally feel at home among this gently misanthropic mob.”

    Me too, me too.

  3. 3.

    scav

    September 29, 2012 at 1:23 am

    And there I was, deluding myself that I had that new misanthrope smell.

  4. 4.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:23 am

    Because cucumbers are currently in abundance:

    CUCUMBER CILANTRO COOLER

    1/2 cup cubed cucumber
    5 cilantro leaves

    Muddle ’em up in a shaker, add ice and

    2oz vodka
    3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
    3/4 oz. simple syrup

    shake, double strain into ice filled collins glass, and top with chilled club soda.

  5. 5.

    Some guy in Austin

    September 29, 2012 at 1:24 am

    ole smokey moonshine cherries make everything more interesting

  6. 6.

    Violet

    September 29, 2012 at 1:25 am

    There is nothing one can do to prepare oneself for reading Douthat.

  7. 7.

    Wag

    September 29, 2012 at 1:25 am

    @scav:

    Its that same old misanthropic smell, but we all have it, and like it.

    did I get my commas right? after the last thread, I never can tell

  8. 8.

    burnspbesq

    September 29, 2012 at 1:26 am

    There is no combination of chemicals known to science that can adequately prepare one for Douthat. If it’s all the same to you, I’ll pass.

    BTW, just got back from seeing Pat Metheny. Was previously not very familiar with Chris Potter. That mf can play.

  9. 9.

    burnspbesq

    September 29, 2012 at 1:29 am

    Time for bed. I may actually get up at 4:30 to watch Arsenal – Chelsea.

  10. 10.

    Wag

    September 29, 2012 at 1:31 am

    @different-church-lady:

    My recipe for the perfect (summer) Gin and Tonic

    Muddle 1 slice of cucumber in a glass.
    Add ice
    Add 2 oz of Hendrick’s Gin
    Top with Tonic.

    Garnish with another slice of cucumber.

    Enjoy

    But now, we’re entering Winter, and Clementines are coming into season, so its time to shift gears.

    Fill a glass with ice
    Add 2 Oz of Bombay Sapphire Gin
    Squeeze in a slice of clementine
    Top with Tonic.

    Enoy

  11. 11.

    Yutsano

    September 29, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Oh mighty Dionysius, I have indeed committed a grievous sin against your sacred alcohol. I used Laphroaig in tonight’s dinner. Don’t judge me harshly!

  12. 12.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:32 am

    I have to say, Madonna’s talent has come a long way for a woman who couldn’t really sing very much when she first started out.

  13. 13.

    Eljai

    September 29, 2012 at 1:34 am

    @different-church-lady:

    Thanks, that looks good! That counts as a fresh vegetable serving in my book. I would probably skip the simple syrup and substitute more vodka, though.

  14. 14.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:35 am

    @Wag: Nice idea on the clementines. Still too early, but soon it will be time to break out the Calvados and start on some of my favorite autumnal libations.

  15. 15.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 1:36 am

    @Yutsano: It isn’t my favorite scotch or else I would judge you. Too damned heavy and smoky. Macallan or Talisker for moi.

  16. 16.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:36 am

    @Yutsano:

    I used Laphroaig in for tonight’s dinner. Don’t judge me harshly!

    Fixed that for me.

  17. 17.

    Yutsano

    September 29, 2012 at 1:39 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I didn’t have any wine, and it’s practically a sin to have tomatoes with no alcohol when cooking them. The fact that the dish has sweet potatoes makes it work.

    PS: The NYD’s favourite scotch is Laphroaig. I might be amenable to others. Oh and he got a 30 year Macallan as a gift. He says he’s saving it, hopefully for law school graduation.

  18. 18.

    joeyess

    September 29, 2012 at 1:40 am

    I don’t care how far you cast me out of the Balloon Juice club, I am never drinking anything with a cucumber in it.

  19. 19.

    eemom

    September 29, 2012 at 1:41 am

    In the alternative, as we lawyers like to say, recipe:

    Don’t read Doughtwat.
    Don’t prepare.

    Easy peezy lemon squeezee.

  20. 20.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 1:42 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Meh. My favorite Scotch is Maker’s Mark.

  21. 21.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 1:43 am

    @Yutsano: 30 y/o Mac? Ohgodohgodohgod….

  22. 22.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 1:44 am

    @eemom: Why not have the drinks and iggy Chunky Bobo?

  23. 23.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 1:44 am

    @joeyess:

    I am never drinking anything with a cucumber in it.

    I ain’t even eating a salad with a cucumber in it it.

  24. 24.

    Wag

    September 29, 2012 at 1:45 am

    @different-church-lady: One of my favorite thugs about Gina is that there are subtle variation that can be accuentuated by different fruits or vegetables. You’ll never go wrong with a lime, but you can do so much more if you explore a bit.

  25. 25.

    Suffern ACE

    September 29, 2012 at 1:46 am

    @joeyess:We’ll chop it up real small and tell you it’s a zucchini then.

  26. 26.

    Yutsano

    September 29, 2012 at 1:47 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: That was my exact reaction. He says he’ll save it for when he gets married but I like the graduation idea.

  27. 27.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 1:47 am

    @different-church-lady: Did someone say Calvados?

  28. 28.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:47 am

    @joeyess: I can respect that.

  29. 29.

    Wag

    September 29, 2012 at 1:47 am

    @joeyess:

    Wimp. Try it! You might like it, and if you don’t, what have you lost? Nothing!

  30. 30.

    Sarah, Proud and Tall

    September 29, 2012 at 1:48 am

    @joeyess:

    With Pimm’s it’s delightful. It adds a luxurious smoothness to the whole thing.

  31. 31.

    Suffern ACE

    September 29, 2012 at 1:48 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: At 30 years, it’s really more of a IIc.

  32. 32.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 1:52 am

    So, I have run out of brandy…. Should I switch to tequila or Romanian moonshine from my ex-father-in-law?

  33. 33.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:53 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Alright, alright…

    APPLE BLOSSOM

    1.5 Calvados
    1 apple juice
    .5 lemon juice
    .25 maple syrup

    Shake

    But it’s not really fantastic until there’s a real snap in the air.

  34. 34.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 1:55 am

    @different-church-lady: I have always just done Calvados straight.

  35. 35.

    different-church-lady

    September 29, 2012 at 1:58 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Alright, alright…

    1 Calvados

    Serve

  36. 36.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:01 am

    @different-church-lady: Woohoo!

  37. 37.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:11 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I’d go with the Romanian moonshine.

    Tequila always gives me a hell of a hangover.

    Not that I’ve had any experience with Romanian moonshine. Father-in-law or no father-in-law.

    ETA: ExSqueeze me, EX-father-in-law.

  38. 38.

    Mark S.

    September 29, 2012 at 2:13 am

    Shit, I’ll save you some time. Shorter Douthat:

    Can we just pretend Romney’s not running?

  39. 39.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:13 am

    @dance around in your bones: People took too long. I made a margarita.

  40. 40.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:13 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Switch to tequila if you want to end up lying the road in the wee hours of the morning watching your bicycle tires spinning around after you dumped it crossing the railroad tracks while trying to get home to your apartment from a wild party in your buddy’s dorm. Did I forget to mention that this all happens after you fell down a flight of fourteen stairs?

    It took me a year till I could smell a lemon without feeling nauseous.

  41. 41.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:15 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: Do you really imagine that Romanian moonshine would be better?

  42. 42.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:16 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Say it ain’t so! The BJ crowd failed you?

    Enjoy your killer margarita. I assume it’s killer.

  43. 43.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:16 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: You’re doomed as doom can be.

    /Ed Grimley/

  44. 44.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:18 am

    @dance around in your bones: @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: I am listening to this….

  45. 45.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:19 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason:

    When I lived in Mexico I was well-known for being cheerful and funny on the tequila shots, right up until I did a face-plant in the fire pit, and people had to drag me to my camper, unconscious until the next day.

    It’s why we called it To-Kill-Ya.

  46. 46.

    Yutsano

    September 29, 2012 at 2:21 am

    @dance around in your bones: They make songs about that. And I love that tequila bottle.

  47. 47.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:25 am

    @Yutsano: Me, I love Grace.

  48. 48.

    Yutsano

    September 29, 2012 at 2:26 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: It was a multi-purpose share. :)

  49. 49.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:28 am

    @Yutsano: Hey, I liked that song – AND the tequila bottle.

    That girl looks remarkably like me :) ‘cept my hair is longer.

    ETA: Also, in Mexico, they called it ‘Two Lines in The Sand’, from the drag marks left by your feet .

  50. 50.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:31 am

    @Yutsano: This one is for Steep.

  51. 51.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:31 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Well, Waits isn’t a bad guide to your tequila slide. When I saw him at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach he pulled a beer out of his inside sport coat pocket. Which he told us he bought from the Brooks Brothers. Good and Will.

  52. 52.

    dollared

    September 29, 2012 at 2:33 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: I didn’t have a car, so after my over-the-curb-for-no-reason crash I had to get right back on my bike and ride to work the next day. But I haven’t had Jack Daniels in the 30 years since then…whoda thunk doing Jack shots in place of the bong hits in Bong Backgammon would be a bad idea?

  53. 53.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:33 am

    @dance around in your bones: What did they call the mescal, then? Two shovels of sand over your grave?

    The one time I tried it we awarded the empty bottle to the guy who swallowed the worm.

  54. 54.

    Sarah, Proud and Tall

    September 29, 2012 at 2:34 am

    @Yutsano:

    Are you right there with your Kenny Chesney? Jesus.

  55. 55.

    Yutsano

    September 29, 2012 at 2:37 am

    @dance around in your bones: Methinks you have just intrigued OO there. Even better if you can sing like her too!

  56. 56.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:37 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason:

    They say: “para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien también” (for everything bad, mezcal, and for everything good, as well).

    I like the two lines in the sand better. ‘Cause it’s more realidad.

  57. 57.

    dollared

    September 29, 2012 at 2:39 am

    @Sarah, Proud and Tall: I’m really confused. Shouldn’t one prepare for Douthat with a six ounce tumbler of altar wine? That’s what the young associate pastor used with Douthat, back when he was learning the ropes.

  58. 58.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:40 am

    @dollared: Yep. I haven’t had tequila again. A year later someone bought me a shot, I had to run to the bathroom when it came up a minute later. Ten years later my wife made me a margarita. Couldn’t finish it.

    Who would have thought chasing tequila with beer that night would be such an issue?

  59. 59.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:40 am

    @Yutsano: Hey, I am back to Tom Waits.

  60. 60.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:41 am

    @Yutsano: Oh, if he’s willin’, so am I.

    But I probably wouldn’t hold up to close scrutiny.

    My hair IS longer, though.

  61. 61.

    dollared

    September 29, 2012 at 2:45 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: It is a loss. I’ve learned to love tequila. Although my Mexican friends still think I drink it like a sissy, with lime juice and all.

    And I’ve lost bourbon for life Closest I can get is a rye manhattan. Or three.

  62. 62.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:46 am

    @dance around in your bones:

    But I probably wouldn’t hold up to close scrutiny.

    But who does hold up to it any more?

    To paraphrase Animal House, Old, bald, fat, and pasty is no way to go through life, son.

  63. 63.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:48 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: I am neither bald nor fat. So I have that going for me. Which is nice.

  64. 64.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 2:54 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Well, hell, honey – neither am I.

    P.S. I got so hammered on Cointreau when I was a teenager (stolen from some parent’s liquor cabinet) that I could never even SMELL it again without gagging.

    We also used to make these things we called suicides? A mix of a little bit of every bottle in the parental units liquor bar? and share it around in the park, after dark.

    Oh, ABQ.

  65. 65.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 2:56 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: My favorite has always been this one: Fumblin’ With the Blues

    No live versions on YouTube, what a drag.

    (Potential FYWP in the making. Why didn’t the comment get submitted?)

  66. 66.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 2:58 am

    @dance around in your bones: I had a problem with gin for years because [censored] and I rode the elevator in our dorm listening to the Dead Kennedys and drinking martinis the first weekend of college.

  67. 67.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 3:03 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Hey! No fair with the {censored} part!

    I’ve been brutally honest here tonight.

    Ok, I remember a guy who convinced me to swig straight gin from the bottle at 8am, just for kicks. It was kinda tasty.

  68. 68.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 3:04 am

    @dance around in your bones: I can share my own experiences. I won’t name others.

  69. 69.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 3:06 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I see – you’re being a gentleman.

    Good on ya.

  70. 70.

    Omnes Omnibus

    September 29, 2012 at 3:06 am

    For what ever reason, I have moved, musically, to this. Yeah, I am weird.

  71. 71.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 3:10 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: OMG.

  72. 72.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    September 29, 2012 at 3:18 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Not weird at all. That’s a hell of a good tune, actually. Listen to the drums and the rhythm – it stomps the backbeat (1-2-3-4). Mick and John McVie had been together as a rhythm section for over a decade by then.

    That particular incarnation of Fleetwood Mac nailed this beat on their best songs. I used to blast this one on the way to work down the 57 freeway between Upland and Irvine. Always got me to work in a good mood.

  73. 73.

    dance around in your bones

    September 29, 2012 at 3:29 am

    I just remember Stevie Nicks twirling, twirling towards freedom.

    Yes, I saw them several times back in the day.

    Ok, I was probably stoned out of my gourd.

  74. 74.

    Pseudonym

    September 29, 2012 at 3:30 am

    @Wag: Yeah, that’s one of my favorite things about ‘gina too.

  75. 75.

    kdaug

    September 29, 2012 at 3:53 am

    Sarah the bulwark.

    As it is now, so has it ever been.

  76. 76.

    Steeplejack

    September 29, 2012 at 8:04 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Nice, even at eight in the morning.

    I packed it in early (for me) last night. Somewhat despondent because DougJ’s gritty-romantic-urban thread didn’t catch fire (for me).

  77. 77.

    Steeplejack

    September 29, 2012 at 8:06 am

    @Steeplejack:

    Moderation?! For no reason I can see. FYWP.

    Anyway, thanks for the song, Omnes Omnibus.

  78. 78.

    Steeplejack

    September 29, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Am I still being moderated?

  79. 79.

    Steeplejack

    September 29, 2012 at 8:36 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Nice, even at eight in the morning. (Previous commented moderated because of bad e-mail address. FYWP.)

    I packed it in early (for me) last night. Somewhat despondent because DougJ’s gritty-romantic-urban thread didn’t catch fire (for me).

  80. 80.

    Soonergrunt

    September 29, 2012 at 9:43 am

    @Steeplejack: Not anymore.

  81. 81.

    Ben Franklin

    September 29, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    http://972mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/shira-glezerman.jpg

  82. 82.

    Mike D.

    September 29, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Douthat ia actually pretty reasonable here. Basically, he’s right about why the economy isn’t sinking Obama, he calls for a faster-growing economy like we have been for years, and he demurs on the (crucial, but his point is political) question of what policies bring that about. His only real fault is his unsupported assertion that people are going to stop demanding a faster-improving economy. Other than that, it’s probably the least objectionable column he yet written for the Grey lady.

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