Pizza is definitely one of the worlds favorite foods. This is the only reason I can think of for having a "World Pizza Championships". A large variety of attractions are associated with the event, including street performers. The picture at the right is what attracted me to the festival of dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Where else could acrobatics be combined with food than Italy?
I am so envious of anyone with gymnastic ability. To be able to bend like that man while twirling a floury substance around your head is an incredible talent. Before I die, one of my goals is to brush up on my flexibility. I figured I would start small, maybe a back flip from a standing position or back-hand spring. My somersault needs work, but I have mastered the cartwheel (sort-of) and am ready for a challenge. First I need to find an instructor.... (taking applications).
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I make a mean casserole.
When flipping through a magazine recently, People, my guilty pleasure, I came across a Match.com add. It was a picture of a woman smiling goofily. The subtitle said "I make a mean casserole." In general, these classifications are disjointed and random. They don't seem to advertise the person's greatest achievement or desires. They really don't say anything at all about the potential soulmate. I guess this is Match.com's whole campaign, but it confused me.
Are you supposed to find your soulmate by knowing their culinary expertise? By these "fun facts to know and tell"?
What I want to figure out is how these people know the right fact for others to know and tell. How do they know their proper classification, or what characteristic completely encompasses their life in a quick phrase? How can they put their thumb down on who they really are in an Internet questionnaire or any questionnaire? Everyday, we make and break relationships and sometimes a 15 second impression is all you get. I don't think I would want to be remembered for my casseroles, but at times one bite of cooking is the best representative of our real selves. Maybe that is the real meaning of life- to try and figure each other out- or at least life's true entertainment. If we told every person we met one sentence that represented our lifetimes, where would we go from there?
Are you supposed to find your soulmate by knowing their culinary expertise? By these "fun facts to know and tell"?
What I want to figure out is how these people know the right fact for others to know and tell. How do they know their proper classification, or what characteristic completely encompasses their life in a quick phrase? How can they put their thumb down on who they really are in an Internet questionnaire or any questionnaire? Everyday, we make and break relationships and sometimes a 15 second impression is all you get. I don't think I would want to be remembered for my casseroles, but at times one bite of cooking is the best representative of our real selves. Maybe that is the real meaning of life- to try and figure each other out- or at least life's true entertainment. If we told every person we met one sentence that represented our lifetimes, where would we go from there?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
She Reigns with a firm hand
Although I resent Walmart's reign over America, Martha Stewart's return to glory does not inspire malicious feelings in me.
Yes, I was one of those angry at the domestic diva during her short stint in the big house, but I have recovered my senses and joined the ranks of faithful magazine subscribers.
Prior to my Christmas gift of a year-long subscription to the glorious periodical, I would race to the registers in HyVee. Now, however, I can wait for my next issue from the comfort of the armchair placed next to my mailbox strictly for this purpose. The agonizing six weeks of waiting between distributions is only partly relieved by the massage feature on my lazy boy, so I am forced to nurse each month's issue with care.
In opposition to my W*lm%r$ experience, entering the magazine is always joyful. The layouts, lines, pictures, stories, and recipes are so organized it fills me with warmth. In fact, I think it is about time for a 57-step, heavenly batch of cookies straight from Martha's kitchen. So please excuse me while I fish my spatula out of the cutlery drawer.
Yes, I was one of those angry at the domestic diva during her short stint in the big house, but I have recovered my senses and joined the ranks of faithful magazine subscribers.
Prior to my Christmas gift of a year-long subscription to the glorious periodical, I would race to the registers in HyVee. Now, however, I can wait for my next issue from the comfort of the armchair placed next to my mailbox strictly for this purpose. The agonizing six weeks of waiting between distributions is only partly relieved by the massage feature on my lazy boy, so I am forced to nurse each month's issue with care.
In opposition to my W*lm%r$ experience, entering the magazine is always joyful. The layouts, lines, pictures, stories, and recipes are so organized it fills me with warmth. In fact, I think it is about time for a 57-step, heavenly batch of cookies straight from Martha's kitchen. So please excuse me while I fish my spatula out of the cutlery drawer.
A Mocking Smile
Walmart is quite possibly the root of all evil. I don't think there is a plainer way to say how I feel about the behemoth.
I am sure I am not the only person who has been tricked by the corporation. By using a smiley face for a logo, they draw their customers in under the false assumption they are about to experience a pleasant shopping trip. The moment I stepped through the sliding glass doors for the first time, however, they could not deceive me any longer.
Awful t-shirts, overflowing shelves of cheap merchandise, screaming children, hostile employees.
Walmart is just not a happy place, and I am not happy when I am there.
I can not help feeling as if I am destroying small businesses worldwide the entire duration of my trip. Yes, worldwide, not nationwide. Not able to stop at killing mom and pop in America, Walmart has expanded to see their influence in Mexico and other foreign nations. They have developed a system for seeping into every aspect of human life. They have started a bank and visa prepaid card, monopolized the sale of electronics and entertainment, and even begun to dabble in organic food sales. What's next? A health clinic! Why anyone would trust the same company that can only sell products in midst of destruction to care for their wellbeing is beyond me.
The promise I made to myself still holds true.... I will never enter a Walmart unless forced, and I will shun that disgusting smiley face with pride.
I am sure I am not the only person who has been tricked by the corporation. By using a smiley face for a logo, they draw their customers in under the false assumption they are about to experience a pleasant shopping trip. The moment I stepped through the sliding glass doors for the first time, however, they could not deceive me any longer.
Awful t-shirts, overflowing shelves of cheap merchandise, screaming children, hostile employees.
Walmart is just not a happy place, and I am not happy when I am there.
I can not help feeling as if I am destroying small businesses worldwide the entire duration of my trip. Yes, worldwide, not nationwide. Not able to stop at killing mom and pop in America, Walmart has expanded to see their influence in Mexico and other foreign nations. They have developed a system for seeping into every aspect of human life. They have started a bank and visa prepaid card, monopolized the sale of electronics and entertainment, and even begun to dabble in organic food sales. What's next? A health clinic! Why anyone would trust the same company that can only sell products in midst of destruction to care for their wellbeing is beyond me.
The promise I made to myself still holds true.... I will never enter a Walmart unless forced, and I will shun that disgusting smiley face with pride.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Evolving Backwards
Breaking news.... There is a frog that can breathe through its skin. He's LUNG LESS! By absorbing oxygen through his skin, he has no need for them. David Bickford from the National University of Singapore has described the development as "evolving backwards". This makes me wonder what the first thing humans would lose if we evolved backwards.
I would hope it would be something like toe hair, which is not an attractive quality no matter who you are. (Unless you are Beyonce or Jessica Alba and are required by Hollywood Law to remove it). Unfortunately our predecessors were covered in hair, so this may not be the first option. It would probably be something like the appendix or gallbladder, something we can already live without.
But what if it was something like our pinkies? Where would Donald Trump put his pinkie ring? Or what if it was our kneecaps and we had jelly legs?
I think it is time to stop. My terrible past with icky Biology videos is coming back to haunt me, specifically that one with the man born without skin.
I would hope it would be something like toe hair, which is not an attractive quality no matter who you are. (Unless you are Beyonce or Jessica Alba and are required by Hollywood Law to remove it). Unfortunately our predecessors were covered in hair, so this may not be the first option. It would probably be something like the appendix or gallbladder, something we can already live without.
But what if it was something like our pinkies? Where would Donald Trump put his pinkie ring? Or what if it was our kneecaps and we had jelly legs?
I think it is time to stop. My terrible past with icky Biology videos is coming back to haunt me, specifically that one with the man born without skin.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The End of Jayhawk Rule
Aaahhhh. The NCAA tournament is finally over and Jayhawk fans have been rewarded for their obnoxious devotion.
Although I enjoy college sports, and the basketball season is one of its best, any fun ends for me with a Kansas victory. March Madness progressed with the KU basketball team moving up the bracket and Jayhawk pride sprouting everywhere. The Kansas City Star didn't even continue pretending to be unbiased. It featured the team on every sports section cover and most front pages. Needless to say, the newspaper quickly became acquainted with my family's recycling bin.
I have nothing wrong with having a team... I just have a problem with choosing KU as your team.
KU fans will plaster "2008 NCAA Basketball Champions" on every banner, flag, and t-shirt they can find. The looming clouds of memorabilia already give me stomach cramps.
I'll just have to wait until football season begins. Spring training reports will tide me over, but my patience will be worth it when I see Todd Reesing pull another clump of Tiger Gold turf out of his helmet, and pout like the whiny Jayhawk he is.
Give 'em hell Tigers.
Although I enjoy college sports, and the basketball season is one of its best, any fun ends for me with a Kansas victory. March Madness progressed with the KU basketball team moving up the bracket and Jayhawk pride sprouting everywhere. The Kansas City Star didn't even continue pretending to be unbiased. It featured the team on every sports section cover and most front pages. Needless to say, the newspaper quickly became acquainted with my family's recycling bin.
I have nothing wrong with having a team... I just have a problem with choosing KU as your team.
KU fans will plaster "2008 NCAA Basketball Champions" on every banner, flag, and t-shirt they can find. The looming clouds of memorabilia already give me stomach cramps.
I'll just have to wait until football season begins. Spring training reports will tide me over, but my patience will be worth it when I see Todd Reesing pull another clump of Tiger Gold turf out of his helmet, and pout like the whiny Jayhawk he is.
Give 'em hell Tigers.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Watching the crowd
People watching may be my preferred form of entertainment. Although I have a claustrophobia issue in crowds, when not feeling squished, I generally enjoy surveying my surroundings. I don't know if it is because I am critical of others, or that I just like to observe people. In other words, this could be a good or a bad habit.
Parent-child interaction makes a good subject. Anywhere there is shopping (i.e. Grocery stores, bookstores, department stores) are always thick with frazzled parents toting squalling kids. The environment invariably creates a tantrum, and the range of parent reactions is wide. I prefer the explosions.
Another subject is kids my age on college visits. During information sessions there is usually a good mix of kids whose feelings are worn on their faces and almost always connected to a body function of some time. Those who are dragged there by parents with high expectations, and cry of boredom or just roll their eyes and sigh loudly. Then there are those who are so excited about college, they almost pee their pants. And finally, those who are so scared they almost pee their pants. While attempting to listen to the same information I've heard 13 times, I love to see who matches which description.
Even everyday high school is a study in human behavior. Without continually being able to attempt a guess at what a person's thoughts are based on their actions, I think my brain would cease to function. What else would it do when wandering away from my government notes and vocab. flash cards?
Parent-child interaction makes a good subject. Anywhere there is shopping (i.e. Grocery stores, bookstores, department stores) are always thick with frazzled parents toting squalling kids. The environment invariably creates a tantrum, and the range of parent reactions is wide. I prefer the explosions.
Another subject is kids my age on college visits. During information sessions there is usually a good mix of kids whose feelings are worn on their faces and almost always connected to a body function of some time. Those who are dragged there by parents with high expectations, and cry of boredom or just roll their eyes and sigh loudly. Then there are those who are so excited about college, they almost pee their pants. And finally, those who are so scared they almost pee their pants. While attempting to listen to the same information I've heard 13 times, I love to see who matches which description.
Even everyday high school is a study in human behavior. Without continually being able to attempt a guess at what a person's thoughts are based on their actions, I think my brain would cease to function. What else would it do when wandering away from my government notes and vocab. flash cards?
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