Friday, May 30, 2014

I Had A Rash ...




... well ... actually, I experienced a rash. Let's put it that way.

And not that kind of rash.

The kind experienced was one of overly-concerned people questioning me about my food choices. This rash has come in a clump - two instances of genuine concern and a third which turned out to be puzzling to say the least.
 
 

Concern #1 came Sunday morning while at a Mimi's Cafe. I rarely frequent Mimi's (I think the last time I dined in one was 5 years ago or so) but it was the brunchy establishment of choice that morning. (If memory serves it was the only real game in town at the time with regard to a sit-down eatery.) An omelet was the order of the day and I requested one of Mimi's "French inspired" selections, the "Omelette Basquaise." This little number contained Andouille sausage, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms and Jack cheese topped with sauce basquaise, a slightly spicy tomato sauce.

My waitress (who could have been the twin of Camryn Manheim circa The Practice years) asked if I had had that particular dish previously. I responded I had not. "It's rather spicy," she informed me, to which I grinned goofily.


I waved her revelation toward me with exaggeration. "Bring it on. Thanks for the warning but when it comes to spicy foods I highly doubt it will faze me." She said something about it being too spicy for her and acknowledged my response with a smile.

When the dish was served and I'd tasted it, I noted it did have a tangy bite. But that was all. I would bet dollars to donuts that the average person who states a dish is hot would have considered this breakfast indeed to be too hot for them. But it wasn't. It was pleasant enough. It didn't even require a glass of water to help make its way down. It was just fine.

"How is your omelet?" the waitress asked at one point.

"Not nearly spicy enough. But it's just right for me this morning," I answered. 


Concern #2 came later that evening. Out and about all day, the meanderings ended at a Chicago Fire Restaurant which specializes in pizza, salads and wings. I'd never been to one but I was in the (extremely rare) mood for pizza for some reason, something that comes about once every other blue moon. Scanning their menu, I decided on a titular "Chicago Fire" pizza. This little number came with hot Italian sausage, Giardiniera peppers, habanero sauce and jalapeno peppers, the description alone indicating it was on the hot and zesty side.

And again, when the waiter came 'round to take the order, I was asked if I'd had the pizza before. "It's really hot," he decried. "Too hot for me." And, again, I told him to bring it on, thanking him for the warning.

I asked rhetorically of my dining companions what the deal was with my welfare where fiery foods were concerned and left it at that.

And I'll admit: The pizza was hot. But far from unpleasantly so. It was enjoyable in that I was happy with my selection. (I've had cravings for pizza previously and ordered pies which not only were lacking in flavor but were actually steps backward in my desire for future pizza orders.) I'll will further admit it was hot enough to wash down with a second 22 ounce beer. Hot, but not too hot ... and but thoroughly tasty and agreeable.


It was at the last place this week that spurred me to write about the frets various wait staffers had for me, however. Because this one truly befuddled me. 

With errands to be accomplished, it was decided Chick-fil-A was the accepted fast food joint to grab something, eat quick and go. Not having been in a Chick-fil-A many times, I scanned the menu thoroughly. The preferred item turned out to be a spicy chicken sandwich, precisely what I ordered from the scrubbed and attentive cashier behind the counter. But the order came with a question:

"It's all right that the sandwich has pepper jack on it, right?" he queried.

Now ... what I really wanted to do was shoot a snappy comeback at him. (I knew I was a bit tired from a strenuous bike ride earlier and I could tell I was somewhat peckish.)


"Well ... be that as it may, I not only speak English but I can read English well enough to comprehend the menu up there behind you. Thus, I can plainly see Chick-fil-A's spicy chicken sandwich comes with a slice of pepper jack cheese - which is commonly of the zesty cheese variety. Not to mention the description for the item states it's "spicy" so, yes ... pepper jack on the sandwich would be acceptable. I mean, being that I'm ordering that particular item ..." 

Because that's what I really wanted to say.  

I wondered: Did I not appear as if I knew what I was ordering? Was there a confused look on my face when I offered my option? Did I hem and haw while voicing my desire? Was there a weak, uncertain timbre in my response such that I may have been vacillating on what I wanted? Was there some random person standing next to me wearing an "I'm With Stupid" T-shirt with an arrow pointed my way?

But, instead, I simply said "Yes ... that's fine" and accepted the drink cup he offered me with a smile. I didn't understand why he asked that question but I let it be. There was no need.

And, as it turned out, the spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A wasn't spicy in the least. 



.......... Ruprecht ( won't STOP his "spicy" retorts ... but curbs them every now and again ... ) 961

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014


A reflective Memorial Day ...




.......... Ruprecht ( doesn't STOP reflecting ) 8

Thursday, May 22, 2014

I Keep Telling People ...


... cats are


  • Devious
  • Manipulative
  • Self-serving
  • Fickle
  • Selfish
  • They shed
  • And, no matter how many times you attempt to discipline them, they continue to scratch furniture relentlessly without regard

And let's not get into a discussion about their litter boxes, their eating preferences and the fact they can upchuck anywhere at any time.

If you know anything about Felis silvestris catus, you know I'm only scratching the surface.





But this I do know: Cats will suck the breath out of you when you're sleeping and unaware. If you have a cat, one day this is going to be the death of you. You want proof?

Here you go:


Just wrap your head around this fact: Cats - just like clowns - are not to be trusted.

Period.


.......... Ruprecht ( is dedicated to STOPping cats at every opportunity ) 139

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Line Judging Girls Volleyball



Of course I was happy to be a line judge at one of my girl's volleyball games Saturday afternoon.

In retrospect, I'm not certain the coach of the team was happy about it, though.

I only made four calls the entire 2-game set. Of the four calls, I recognized where two of them could have been controversial. And probably more controversial than they ever should have been.

As a line judge in volleyball, you have two relatively easy tasks:


  • Verifying the players on a team are rotating properly, and;
  • Determine if a ball is in play if it hits the floor around the boundary line. (If a ball lands anywhere inside or on the boundary line of the field, the ball is in play. If it skirts across the line and bounces outside the line, the ball is dead and play is stopped.)

Pretty simple actually. Close calls can make things interesting, however. As was the case with two of my calls.

The first was a ball that came very near where I was positioned. 


From my vantage point, it smacked the ground just inside the boundary, but I could see how the referee calling the game - and from the other side of the court - had a tough time seeing where it landed. With authority I called the ball fair and indicated such with a hand motion. There happened to be a lot of action during the play and just about all eyes were on the bodies in motion not the ball. I was focused on the ball, however ... and I saw precisely where it landed. And assertively motioned it fair. A spectator from the stands yelled: "Was it in or out ... ?!?" and I responded over my shoulder without looking at him it fell fair. Only then did I hear the ref blow his whistle and award the opposing team their point. Not so controversial, but the spectator in the stands heightened tensions in the room by yelling out his question. It had everyone watching on edge for a few moments.

The next play in question came after a particularly long volley between the two teams. Again, the ball landed near me and it was clearly out of bounds. I indicated such. There was no question in my mind.

But that didn't stop one of the coaches from coming over to me.

"You do know if a ball is on the line it's in play ... right?" She asked me.

"And that's exactly why I stand by the call I made. The ball was out." I replied.


Her tone indicated she didn't like the call, further evident by the fact my decision didn't favor her team. That was understandable.

Still, her question hit a nerve somewhat. Enough so I considered adding "That's the way the ball bounces sometimes."


But I thought better of it. There wasn't any reason to rub salt in the wound of the lost point.


.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Really ... that IS the way the ball bounces sometimes ... 501

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Proof





This is nothing more than proof of what I've said all along:
 

"The only people who should wear their hats backward are catchers and rappers."


.......... Ruprecht ( if you think this guy is going to STOP the mockery, think again )  79

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Banjos!


I find ad placement pretty amusing at times, this one in particular found smack dab in the middle of my Yahoo! page this morning ...




... and while I don't know the first thing about playing a banjo, even I'm excited about this ... !!!


.......... Ruprecht ( just can't STOP the sarcasm ) 54

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Counting ... Without Cards

This is a writing exercise. It's called Afflecking.

And now? I can say I have done it.

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501 five hundred one 502 five hundred two 503 five hundred three 504 five hundred four 505 five hundred five 506 five hundred six 507 five hundred seven 508 five hundred eight 509 five hundred nine 510 five hundred ten 511 five hundred eleven 512 five hundred twelve 513 five hundred thirteen 514 five hundred fourteen 515 five hundred fifteen 516 five hundred sixteen 517 five hundred seventeen 518 five hundred eighteen 519 five hundred nineteen 520 five hundred twenty 521 five hundred twenty-one 522 five hundred twenty-two 523 five hundred twenty-three 524 five hundred twenty-four 525 five hundred twenty-five 526 five hundred twenty-six 527 five hundred twenty-seven 528 five hundred twenty-eight 529 five hundred twenty-nine 530 five hundred thirty 531 five hundred thirty-one 532 five hundred thirty-two 533 five hundred thirty-three 534 five hundred thirty-four 535 five hundred thirty-five 536 five hundred thirty-six 537 five hundred thirty-seven 538 five hundred thirty-eight 539 five hundred thirty-nine 540 five hundred forty 541 five hundred forty-one 542 five hundred forty-two 543 five hundred forty-three 544 five hundred forty-four 545 five hundred forty-five 546 five hundred forty-six 547 five hundred forty-seven 548 five hundred forty-eight 549 five hundred forty-nine 550 five hundred fifty 551 five hundred fifty-one 552 five hundred fifty-two 553 five hundred fifty-three 554 five hundred fifty-four 555 five hundred fifty-five 556 five hundred fifty-six 557 five hundred fifty-seven 558 five hundred fifty-eight 559 five hundred fifty-nine 560 five hundred sixty 561 five hundred sixty-one 562 five hundred sixty-two 563 five hundred sixty-three 564 five hundred sixty-four 565 five hundred sixty-five 566 five hundred sixty-six 567 five hundred sixty-seven 568 five hundred sixty-eight 569 five hundred sixty-nine 570 five hundred seventy 571 five hundred seventy-one 572 five hundred seventy-two 573 five hundred seventy-three 574 five hundred seventy-four 575 five hundred seventy-five 576 five hundred seventy-six 577 five hundred seventy-seven 578 five hundred seventy-eight 579 five hundred seventy-nine 580 five hundred eighty 581 five hundred eighty-one 582 five hundred eighty-two 583 five hundred eighty-three 584 five hundred eighty-four 585 five hundred eighty-five 586 five hundred eighty-six 587 five hundred eighty-seven 588 five hundred eighty-eight 589 five hundred eighty-nine 590 five hundred ninety 591 five hundred ninety-one 592 five hundred ninety-two 593 five hundred ninety-three 594 five hundred ninety-four 595 five hundred ninety-five 596 five hundred ninety-six 597 five hundred ninety-seven 598 five hundred ninety-eight 599 five hundred ninety-nine 600 six hundred.

601 six hundred one 602 six hundred two 603 six hundred three 604 six hundred four 605 six hundred five 606 six hundred six 607 six hundred seven 608 six hundred eight 609 six hundred nine 610 six hundred ten 611 six hundred eleven 612 six hundred twelve 613 six hundred thirteen 614 six hundred fourteen 615 six hundred fifteen 616 six hundred sixteen 617 six hundred seventeen 618 six hundred eighteen 619 six hundred nineteen 620 six hundred twenty 621 six hundred twenty-one 622 six hundred twenty-two 623 six hundred twenty-three 624 six hundred twenty-four 625 six hundred twenty-five 626 six hundred twenty-six 627 six hundred twenty-seven 628 six hundred twenty-eight 629 six hundred twenty-nine 630 six hundred thirty 631 six hundred thirty-one 632 six hundred thirty-two 633 six hundred thirty-three 634 six hundred thirty-four 635 six hundred thirty-five 636 six hundred thirty-six 637 six hundred thirty-seven 638 six hundred thirty-eight 639 six hundred thirty-nine 640 six hundred forty 641 six hundred forty-one 642 six hundred forty-two 643 six hundred forty-three 644 six hundred forty-four 645 six hundred forty-five 646 six hundred forty-six 647 six hundred forty-seven 648 six hundred forty-eight 649 six hundred forty-nine 650 six hundred fifty 651 six hundred fifty-one 652 six hundred fifty-two 653 six hundred fifty-three 654 six hundred fifty-four 655 six hundred fifty-five 656 six hundred fifty-six 657 six hundred fifty-seven 658 six hundred fifty-eight 659 six hundred fifty-nine 660 six hundred sixty 661 six hundred sixty-one 662 six hundred sixty-two 663 six hundred sixty-three 664 six hundred sixty-four 665 six hundred sixty-five 666 six hundred sixty-six 667 six hundred sixty-seven 668 six hundred sixty-eight 669 six hundred sixty-nine 670 six hundred seventy 671 six hundred seventy-one 672 six hundred seventy-two 673 six hundred seventy-three 674 six hundred seventy-four 675 six hundred seventy-five 676 six hundred seventy-six 677 six hundred seventy-seven 678 six hundred seventy-eight 679 six hundred seventy-nine 680 six hundred eighty 681 six hundred eighty-one 682 six hundred eighty-two 683 six hundred eighty-three 684 six hundred eighty-four 685 six hundred eighty-five 686 six hundred eighty-six 687 six hundred eighty-seven 688 six hundred eighty-eight 689 six hundred eighty-nine 690 six hundred ninety 691 six hundred ninety-one 692 six hundred ninety-two 693 six hundred ninety-three 694 six hundred ninety-four 695 six hundred ninety-five 696 six hundred ninety-six 697 six hundred ninety-seven 698 six hundred ninety-eight 699 six hundred ninety-nine 700 seven hundred.

701 seven hundred one 702 seven hundred two 703 seven hundred three 704 seven hundred four 705 seven hundred five 706 seven hundred six 707 seven hundred seven 708 seven hundred eight 709 seven hundred nine 710 seven hundred ten 711 seven hundred eleven 712 seven hundred twelve 713 seven hundred thirteen 714 seven hundred fourteen 715 seven hundred fifteen 716 seven hundred sixteen 717 seven hundred seventeen 718 seven hundred eighteen 719 seven hundred nineteen 720 seven hundred twenty 721 seven hundred twenty-one 722 seven hundred twenty-two 723 seven hundred twenty-three 724 seven hundred twenty-four 725 seven hundred twenty-five 726 seven hundred twenty-six 727 seven hundred twenty-seven 728 seven hundred twenty-eight 729 seven hundred twenty-nine 730 seven hundred thirty 731 seven hundred thirty-one 732 seven hundred thirty-two 733 seven hundred thirty-three 734 seven hundred thirty-four 735 seven hundred thirty-five 736 seven hundred thirty-six 737 seven hundred thirty-seven 738 seven hundred thirty-eight 739 seven hundred thirty-nine 740 seven hundred forty 741 seven hundred forty-one 742 seven hundred forty-two 743 seven hundred forty-three 744 seven hundred forty-four 745 seven hundred forty-five 746 seven hundred forty-six 747 seven hundred forty-seven 748 seven hundred forty-eight 749 seven hundred forty-nine 750 seven hundred fifty 751 seven hundred fifty-one 752 seven hundred fifty-two 753 seven hundred fifty-three 754 seven hundred fifty-four 755 seven hundred fifty-five 756 seven hundred fifty-six 757 seven hundred fifty-seven 758 seven hundred fifty-eight 759 seven hundred fifty-nine 760 seven hundred sixty 761 seven hundred sixty-one 762 seven hundred sixty-two 763 seven hundred sixty-three 764 seven hundred sixty-four 765 seven hundred sixty-five 766 seven hundred sixty-six 767 seven hundred sixty-seven 768 seven hundred sixty-eight 769 seven hundred sixty-nine 770 seven hundred seventy 771 seven hundred seventy-one 772 seven hundred seventy-two 773 seven hundred seventy-three 774 seven hundred seventy-four 775 seven hundred seventy-five 776 seven hundred seventy-six 777 seven hundred seventy-seven 778 seven hundred seventy-eight 779 seven hundred seventy-nine 780 seven hundred eighty 781 seven hundred eighty-one 782 seven hundred eighty-two 783 seven hundred eighty-three 784 seven hundred eighty-four 785 seven hundred eighty-five 786 seven hundred eighty-six 787 seven hundred eighty-seven 788 seven hundred eighty-eight 789 seven hundred eighty-nine 790 seven hundred ninety 791 seven hundred ninety-one 792 seven hundred ninety-two 793 seven hundred ninety-three 794 seven hundred ninety-four 795 seven hundred ninety-five 796 seven hundred ninety-six 797 seven hundred ninety-seven 798 seven hundred ninety-eight 799 seven hundred ninety-nine 800 eight hundred.

801 eight hundred one 802 eight hundred two 803 eight hundred three 804 eight hundred four 805 eight hundred five 806 eight hundred six 807 eight hundred seven 808 eight hundred eight 809 eight hundred nine 810 eight hundred ten 811 eight hundred eleven 812 eight hundred twelve 813 eight hundred thirteen 814 eight hundred fourteen 815 eight hundred fifteen 816 eight hundred sixteen 817 eight hundred seventeen 818 eight hundred eighteen 819 eight hundred nineteen 820 eight hundred twenty 821 eight hundred twenty-one 822 eight hundred twenty-two 823 eight hundred twenty-three 824 eight hundred twenty-four 825 eight hundred twenty-five 826 eight hundred twenty-six 827 eight hundred twenty-seven 828 eight hundred twenty-eight 829 eight hundred twenty-nine 830 eight hundred thirty 831 eight hundred thirty-one 832 eight hundred thirty-two 833 eight hundred thirty-three 834 eight hundred thirty-four 835 eight hundred thirty-five 836 eight hundred thirty-six 837 eight hundred thirty-seven 838 eight hundred thirty-eight 839 eight hundred thirty-nine 840 eight hundred forty 841 eight hundred forty-one 842 eight hundred forty-two 843 eight hundred forty-three 844 eight hundred forty-four 845 eight hundred forty-five 846 eight hundred forty-six 847 eight hundred forty-seven 848 eight hundred forty-eight 849 eight hundred forty-nine 850 eight hundred fifty 851 eight hundred fifty-one 852 eight hundred fifty-two 853 eight hundred fifty-three 854 eight hundred fifty-four 855 eight hundred fifty-five 856 eight hundred fifty-six 857 eight hundred fifty-seven 858 eight hundred fifty-eight 859 eight hundred fifty-nine 860 eight hundred sixty 861 eight hundred sixty-one 862 eight hundred sixty-two 863 eight hundred sixty-three 864 eight hundred sixty-four 865 eight hundred sixty-five 866 eight hundred sixty-six 867 eight hundred sixty-seven 868 eight hundred sixty-eight 869 eight hundred sixty-nine 870 eight hundred seventy 871 eight hundred seventy-one 872 eight hundred seventy-two 873 eight hundred seventy-three 874 eight hundred seventy-four 875 eight hundred seventy-five 876 eight hundred seventy-six 877 eight hundred seventy-seven 878 eight hundred seventy-eight 879 eight hundred seventy-nine 880 eight hundred eighty 881 eight hundred eighty-one 882 eight hundred eighty-two 883 eight hundred eighty-three 884 eight hundred eighty-four 885 eight hundred eighty-five 886 eight hundred eighty-six 887 eight hundred eighty-seven 888 eight hundred eighty-eight 889 eight hundred eighty-nine 890 eight hundred ninety 891 eight hundred ninety-one 892 eight hundred ninety-two 893 eight hundred ninety-three 894 eight hundred ninety-four 895 eight hundred ninety-five 896 eight hundred ninety-six 897 eight hundred ninety-seven 898 eight hundred ninety-eight 899 eight hundred ninety-nine 900 nine hundred.

901 nine hundred one 902 nine hundred two 903 nine hundred three 904 nine hundred four 905 nine hundred five 906 nine hundred six 907 nine hundred seven 908 nine hundred eight 909 nine hundred nine 910 nine hundred ten 911 nine hundred eleven 912 nine hundred twelve 913 nine hundred thirteen 914 nine hundred fourteen 915 nine hundred fifteen 916 nine hundred sixteen 917 nine hundred seventeen 918 nine hundred eighteen 919 nine hundred nineteen 920 nine hundred twenty 921 nine hundred twenty-one 922 nine hundred twenty-two 923 nine hundred twenty-three 924 nine hundred twenty-four 925 nine hundred twenty-five 926 nine hundred twenty-six 927 nine hundred twenty-seven 928 nine hundred twenty-eight 929 nine hundred twenty-nine 930 nine hundred thirty 931 nine hundred thirty-one 932 nine hundred thirty-two 933 nine hundred thirty-three 934 nine hundred thirty-four 935 nine hundred thirty-five 936 nine hundred thirty-six 937 nine hundred thirty-seven 938 nine hundred thirty-eight 939 nine hundred thirty-nine 940 nine hundred forty 941 nine hundred forty-one 942 nine hundred forty-two 943 nine hundred forty-three 944 nine hundred forty-four 945 nine hundred forty-five 946 nine hundred forty-six 947 nine hundred forty-seven 948 nine hundred forty-eight 949 nine hundred forty-nine 950 nine hundred fifty 951 nine hundred fifty-one 952 nine hundred fifty-two 953 nine hundred fifty-three 954 nine hundred fifty-four 955 nine hundred fifty-five 956 nine hundred fifty-six 957 nine hundred fifty-seven 958 nine hundred fifty-eight 959 nine hundred fifty-nine 960 nine hundred sixty 961 nine hundred sixty-one 962 nine hundred sixty-two 963 nine hundred sixty-three 964 nine hundred sixty-four 965 nine hundred sixty-five 966 nine hundred sixty-six 967 nine hundred sixty-seven 968 nine hundred sixty-eight 969 nine hundred sixty-nine 970 nine hundred seventy 971 nine hundred seventy-one 972 nine hundred seventy-two 973 nine hundred seventy-three 874 nine hundred seventy-four 975 nine hundred seventy-five 976 nine hundred seventy-six 977 nine hundred seventy-seven 978 nine hundred seventy-eight 979 nine hundred seventy-nine 980 nine hundred eighty 981 nine hundred eighty-one 982 nine hundred eighty-two 983 nine hundred eighty-three 984 nine hundred eighty-four 985 nine hundred eighty-five 986 nine hundred eighty-six 987 nine hundred eighty-seven 988 nine hundred eighty-eight 989 nine hundred eighty-nine 990 nine hundred ninety 991 nine hundred ninety-one 992 nine hundred ninety-two 993 nine hundred ninety-three 994 nine hundred ninety-four 995 nine hundred ninety-five 996 nine hundred ninety-six 997 nine hundred ninety-seven 998 nine hundred ninety-eight 999 nine hundred ninety-nine 1,000 one thousand. 

.......... Ruprecht ( doesn't does STOP counting sometimes ... *whew* ) 3,809

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Saturday Is Free Comic Book Day





You want to promote reading? Stimulate a young mind? Open a new world to your daughter or son? Relive those virtually forgotten days gone by of your youth? You want to do something different? How about simply getting out of the house to avoid the yard work that's been calling to you since the weather's gotten clearer and the snows have receded?

If so, you are in luck. Because this weekend marks the 12th annual rendition of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), traditionally held the first Saturday of May.

For those not in the know, FCBD is an annual event where participating comic book store retailers give away specially printed copies of free comics as well as offer offer cheaper back issues, special promotions and other items to anyone who visits their establishments. (You can find out more about FCBD's history here.)

Comics. There not just for kids anymore. (Really ... have they ever been?) 


.......... Ruprecht ( hasn't STOPped perusing FCBD since it started 12 years ago ) 166


New Words And Phrases


I've always loved the English language, regardless of its learning difficulties, agonizing inconsistencies and annoying uses.

Still, it opens up avenues of vocalization and expression like no other tongue.

This week I learned a few new words.

They're not words you can readily look up in a dictionary, mind you, but they detail actions or feelings into succinct definitions which make perfect sense.

Feel free to add them to your lexicon as you see fit.


Crouchy: A state of becoming a full-fledged grouch but not quite there yet; somewhere between the levels of crotchety and grouchy

Bakupauphamy: Another state of being in approaching a level where the sarcasm slowly turns annoying, indicative of when a response contains or suggests the following - "You know what? You better back up off of me or things could get ugly ..." - where a person has reached or is in purview of bakopauphamy


.......... Ruprecht ( never STOPs learning ) 174