Sunday, January 30, 2011

Thought of the day: bad cooks

Things that are sad: that there could be a show called "Worst Cooks in America" on Food Network.

Cooking is not always easy, but its not hard either.  With even a little knowledge, training, or curiosity, anyone can be at least a mediocre cook.  Some of the best meals (roast chicken, pasta, chili, etc) are even really, really simple and damn near idiot proof.  That there could be enough people who are so completely clueless about basic food preparation is probably some sad commentary about the state of our culture.

Maybe.  I don't wanna read to much into things like this.  But it is kinda sad.

Things that are even sadder: that we are now in a second season of this show, and there is no end in sight. 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

About last night

Just a fantastic Colbert Report last night, start to finish.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Killing me tastily

Toxic death, here I come!

I was reading the Awl today, and for some reason I decided to click on an ad link for a list of "7 Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips".  The result was an article on Prevention.com, which is apparently an anti preservative/anti toxin awareness website.  And now I have to move, because my kitchen is apparently stocked with toxic food which I shouldn't go within 500 feet of.  The List of Death:

1) Canned Tomatoes

Not a promising start for someone who makes pasta 5 times a week.

2) Corn Fed Beef

In other words, beef.

3) Microwave popcorn

But its so tasty! And has surprisingly few calories for a snack food.

4) Non-organic potatoes

1 for 4! 

5) Farmed Salmon

1 for 5!  Actually make that 1 for 10, since I eat way more salmon than most people so it should count double.

6) Milk produced with artificial hormones


Oh dear.

7) Conventional apples

Well there goes 90% of my fruit intake.  I wonder how they feel about red vines.  That's a fruit, right?

So that's it, there's a big ol tumor coming in my future unless I change my ways.  I'm seriously considering changing my diet to things not on the list: Diet Coke, Turkey Jerky, Beer and nachos (beef free, of course).

Badvertising: God Loves Interstate Batteries

I saw this on the big screen at the Orange Bowl, and I wasn't sure if I was just drunk or going crazy or what.  But apparently I really did see what I thought I saw, and it was this:



Reminded me at first of the Coca Cola "Grand Theft Auto" ad from a few years ago, where a magical soft drink turns a thug into a super nice guy.

What makes this commercial strange isn't the message or the story, its the juxtaposition with Interstate Batteries at the end.  I was fully expecting a message from a church or other religious group, sort of like how the Ad council does those benign ads promoting respect or tolerance.  And then BOOM! Interstate batteries, the battery which God would choose for his love ray! 

I'm all for the message, since the world could always use more kindness and love, but the story is also kinda depressing.  The world is a dark and sad place filled with miserable people... but never fear, just a bit of love and compassion will make the drudgery of life bearable for another day.  Which is 100% true, but the visual images are still a downer.  Which means I'll need even more love to get back into a good mood.