Bummed Out

The SUP Bookstore in Milpitas is gone! It will be replaced by a karaoke lounge. Now how will I get my magazine fix?

I want I want I want

I've decided on my next toy. Assuming I can clear enough space in the freezer, it will be an ice cream machine. I hope to be freed from the tyrrany of having to wait for Haagen-Dazs to go on sale and their staunch refusal to sell their burnt caramel flavor in the United States.

Who keeps salt on hand, anyways?

Courtesy of the Toronto Star: if you don't happen to have curry powder on hand, you can substitute 3 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander, 2 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon each ground cumin and crushed fenugreek seeds, 1/2 teaspoon each ground pepper, mustard powder and ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne and salt to taste.

It wouldn't be faster to run down to the grocery store? I mean, who keeps things like "salt" on hand, anyways?

The insanity continues, even after finals.

It's amazing how a gift certificate can burn a hole in your pocket in a way unattainable by, say, a dollar bill you inadvertently let through the wash.

There are two problems with the mango splitter. First, it's not so good for your health to eat too many mangoes (they are heating and will cause breakouts). Second, I question the durability of the blade because it has to flex to accommodate the mango pit. In which case it would turn out not to be a cheap whim.

The problem with the citrus squeezer is the distinct possibility that I might not have the arm strength to use it effectively. Or rather, use it to squeeze more than a couple oranges. There is also the distinct possibility that, slob that I am, the squeezer would cause me to squirt juice all over the floor.

The problem with the microplane grater is it doesn't seem to qualify for free shipping.

The problem with the CD I want is it installs insidious copy-protection software when played on a PC. The software can be removed, but it's the principle of the matter.

The problem with the magazine subscription is twofold. First, it would have to be ordered along with other things. Second, ordering it would give the publisher yet another e-mail address to spam.

The problem with books is I no longer have any spare time to do much reading for fun. The to-read pile is getting larger.

The problem with the ice cream machine is the canister may not fit in my freezer. I plan to measure the freezer tonight.

The problem with the gift certificate in the first place is it's like cash, but not at all. It's insidious.

Kids These Days

Sometimes it's really depressing, like when they talk about weighing your kids at school while shortening recess, eliminating gym class, and moving the lunch hour to peculiar times. And when they talk about salad bars as being novel and having carrot parties.

If I've understood carrot parties correctly, then they are a lot like what we used to do in grade school. Namely, we would have a cupcake party when it was somebody's birthday. We'd eat cupcakes, maybe have a little punch, and sing songs to the birthday kid. In a carrot party as I understand it, instead of cupcakes, you have carrots (which should be in your lunch anyway), and instead of being somebody's birthday, they're teaching you to appreciate carrots.

It reminds me of my second all-time favorite ham sandwich, the one where they substituted lettuce for the bread, and tomatoes, olives, and cheese for the ham. It looked and tasted a lot like a salad.

Then, sometimes, kids these days are really entertaining and it's all worthwhile. Witness 巴士阿叔。 Not 阿叔, the other guy.