Quotation

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."

—John Adams

Quotation

"This land is your land and this land is my land, sure, but the world is run by those that never listen to music anyway."

—Bob Dylan

Hospitable intentions

At this very moment there is a man painting the Prickly Pineapple's front door.

His partner is painting the door next to mine. Since he has to have the door partially open to paint it, I was downstairs tidying the shameful mess in my living room. The cold wind came in through the open door and pinched my bare toes. I thought to myself, "These guys must be cold. I wonder if I should offer them something."

I rummaged about the kitchen. I have one packet of instant hot chocolate left. I can't just give a cup to one guy and ignore the other. So that won't work. Chinese tea these guys probably wouldn't like. And I have no styrofoam cups. So nothing for these two. I took another sip of Tang.

Good intentions. Bah. I feel that it'd have been nicer if I'd never thought of it at all.

Quotation

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."

—J.S. Bach

... and thank you.

The CamoBunny would like to thank you, gentle readers, for consistently leaving comments that are clever, personal, and genuine. I am proud to have readers who have more to say than just, “haha, that’s funny!”, “cool!”, “LOL that's cute!”, “good post,” and the like.

Now if I get a bunch of comments like that anytime soon I’ll know you’re just trying to annoy me, and it won't work because I'm ready for it.

What if ... ?

My friend’s baby is adorable, true. One evening we all sat watching him do his latest new trick: sitting. His proud parents are as pleased as punch over his new accomplishment. We clapped our hands encouragingly as we watched the little tyke recruit all his muscle and skill just to stay upright on his bottom.

What if each little thing we did garnered such lavish praise? What if each time I managed to, say, dress myself well and enter a room without stumbling I received scads of applause? What if each colorful metaphor or fancy turn of phrase I write were returned with waves of complimentary fan mail? I can just see it on a job evaluation: “Always shows up to work, puts effort into her job, never has a booger hanging out of her nose. All in all, quite admirable.”

We’d all be quite silly people, yes. But I think we’d feel pretty darn good about ourselves.

Word of the day

Today's word of the day is wherefore.

In defining this word, I like to say that "wherefore" begins a question to which the answer contains "therefore." In parallel to the old exercise

"I see a bear."
"Where?"
"Over there!"

thus runs the Q & A involving these adverbs:

"Thee I abhor."
"Wherefore?"
"... therefore ."

In other words, "wherefore" means "why." It does not mean "where."

Sometimes it is used in the declarative rather than in the interrogative. I think that in those situations one may as well use "therefore," mayn't one?

It may also be used as a noun. Sadly enough, around here I usually hear "whatfor" in its place.

Craving

A ploughman's lunch. I first tried one in the London Heathrow airport. Probably not the most prudent choice, but I liked it nonetheless. That would really hit the spot right now. That or an egg salad sandwich.

Today I am feeling ...

... exploited.

From one Prickly to another—

Happy birthday, Camodidi!
Twenty-three is a good year.

Today's featured beverage

Today's featured beverage is truly a must-try: Apple Sidra, from the exotic far east. Why hasn't this caught on in the United States?

My first Apple Sidra memory brings me all the way back to our first family trip overseas (yes, Camodidi, when you were three) twenty years ago! The opulent hotel at which we supped was serving all sorts of elegant dishes including some sort of nappa cabbage layered dish that had a type of fancy (gasp!) cheese on it— a salty sweet creamy cabbagey delight. Surely such an establishment would serve up an equally novel beverage experience. Sparkling in our glasses like the finest of champagnes was Apple Sidra, one can split between the three of us children.

Its rich color, a deep amber, was unlike that of any other carbonated beverages we'd tried. My first sip was wonderment and surprise. Caramel and apple flavours bubbled across my tongue and danced upon my palate, tumbling smoothly down my throat to finish. I knew immediately this was not just some ol' soda; it was an experience to be savored. My little half-glass must have lasted me a half hour.

This beverage is available here if you know where to look. I have none in stock, however, for I am reluctant to delve too deeply in search of recreating that memory, lest I be disappointed. Perhaps there has been a change in the formula, for in my later experiences it has seemed a bit more tart, with an acidic (xiap xiap, for those of you in the know) and drying after-sensation that reminds me more of local sparkling apple ciders.

What's your favorite Apple Sidra memory?

Find a can. Marvel at its enduring design and logo, in that bold yellow, red, and green. Enjoy it in a chilled glass on a sunny autumn afternoon. It's good stuff.

Apology

I'm sorry about the pop-up ads, folks. They came along with the tagboard for the "Caption the Angry Baby" contest. Turn on your pop-up blocker and they will bother you no more. They'll go away for real when we have a winner for the contest and I remove the tagboard.

Announcement

A big fat "Welcome home!" to the Eschemo Survivor, who is now day #102 status post stem cell transplant. Congratulations on your return home to Alaska. All the best; keep us posted.

Maybe I should have a column here for you to review your latest fashions, from scarfage and millinery to hair growth updates to accessories such as your Hickman.

Reasonable

Don't get us wrong. We're hospitable, but we reserve the right to deny service to any patron for any reason at all.

Love

Beautiful, isn't it?

Blueprints, layout

I've been asked on multiple occasions why I have multiple blogs. I suppose the best way to explain this is by walking you through the layout of these individual sites that comprise one institution.

Let's say that the Prickly Pineapple is the general main venue. Think of it as just a nice place to be. It's about hospitality, and it should be a place where you get what you want. You will notice the themes of food, drink, and music tend to recur. It's pointedly interactive, when folks want to participate. For example, you will see that I have moved the "Caption the Angry Baby" contest over to the sidebar so people can see it better and play along more easily. See? It's about you.

Camobunny's Corner is the corner of the Prickly Pineapple where your hostess sits on some sort of ergonomically correct stool or chair every day and manages things. She's chattier than I really am, because it's her turf and she feels comfortable there. Hang out there for a bit and you might get to hear some poetry or maybe some brutal honesty that perhaps oughtn't be broadcast over the entire PP venue for the sake of sensitivity.

Wurmwood & Gaul is a comic strip by some local artist, published in the paper that sits on the coffee tables of the double P.

The Poop Group is a group of regulars, salty old friends who sit on the couches and armchairs in the back and talk about/do nothing and have a great time doing so. They kind of pooh-pooh everything; thus they get along well with each other despite their differences.

Tabula Rasa is a sample of art on the back wall of the PP. It initially had its own function (based on the inadequacy of my computer skills) and started out with the title of "Fix It!" It then changed to "Carte Blanche" and then "Tabula Rasa." At that point I realized it felt like an art piece and was compelled to let it remain as such. It is subtitled "Undo My Mistakes," in case that title placard is too small for you to read, and if that helps you understand.

And that's the story.

Welcome. Have a seat. How can we serve you today?

Luvfest

The Prickly Pineapple loves you all!

Camodidi, Camofoo! Puffintoad, Eschemo Survivor! Cat! KiltedJedi, Evanchooly! D-win, K-dub! CousinRay!

Wee luuuuuuuv yoooooou!

Whoa, what the...? Get out of there! How'd you get the key to the liquor cabinet? Get away from the computer! Stop it! Ack, don't say THAT! You'll embarass us! Ugh, and there's pineapple juice everywhere! Everything is going to be sticky for days! Oh, crap!

Contest #2

You knew it was coming. I just can't go that long without having the angry baby on my front page.

The Prickly Pineapple will be proud to award one hundred Pricklepoints™ to the person who comes up with the best caption for this infamous iconic internet image.

Currently, D-win has fifteen Pricklepoints™. That's it. He's killing you all.

Gimme a caption!Come on, you know you want to.

Addendum: See the winning title here at this post.

Craving

The cravings continue. Bacon lettuce tomato sandwich on wheat with just a touch of mayonnaise. Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Am I so skinny because I want such bad things and never go get them? Can I keep blaming the change of seasons?

Public service announcement

Learn CPR, everybody.

It works.

Ask Merriam-Webster

Shortly after establishing these blogs I put a bookmark on www.m-w.com, I was using it so much. I'm not ashamed to say that. In fact, it's been good to flex my writing muscles over these past two months. It's also been nice to add to my vocabulary some words that are not related to my primary job (for you see, over the years I've acquired all these words that I can't use in polite conversation with normal folks). While at the site I decided, hey, why not subscribe to the Word of the Day? I have been unimpressed by some of the entries, as they seem to be new words that represent the recent bastardization of old standards, but some have been at least an interesting read:

The Word of the Day for October 7 is:
burke \BERK\ verb
1 : to suppress quietly or indirectly
2 : bypass, avoid
Example sentence: The governor attempted to discreetly burke all inquiries into his alleged misuse of state funds.
Did you know? When an elderly pensioner died at the Edinburgh boarding house of William Hare in 1827, the proprietor and his friend William Burke decided to sell the body to a local anatomy school. The sale was so lucrative that they decided to make sure they could repeat it. They began luring nameless wanderers (who were not likely to be missed) into the house, getting them drunk, then smothering or strangling them and selling the bodies. The two disposed of at least 15 victims before murdering a local woman whose disappearance led to their arrest. At Burke's execution (by hanging), irate crowds shouted "Burke him!" As a result of the case, the word "burke" became a byword first for death by strangulation and eventually for any cover-up.

I hope that no part of my name is ever turned into a verb.

Help wanted

The Prickly Pineapple is seeking an individual to fill the position of Associate Food Expert.

The requirements of this job are well-defined.
1. Must demonstrate availability to eat with me.
2. Must demonstrate a passion for food of all race, color, and creed. There shall be no dishcover left unturned!
3. Must demonstrate passable conversational skills. Must also demonstrate comfort with silence when one's mouth is full.

Criteria that qualify a candidate for exclusion:
1. Food prejudice. One must always be willing to try at least one bite.
2. A significant other of the jealous type.

Our last Associate Food Expert, Dr. Vita MinA, vacated his position after an inexcusable demonstration based upon prejudice, presumptions, and false accusations. Prior Associate Food Experts have included none less than the likes of Dr. Ragout Lykthasauce, Mr. Evan Chooly, and Mr. Nelson Camodidi. These individuals graciously retired from their positions in answer to other occupational or relational calls leading them to fabulous faraway places. Our interim A.F.E., Dr. Linda Gourmand, admits to lacking an ability to appreciate a full range of fine and familiar foodstuffs, and shall concede her position upon your hire.

O foodie brother, where art thou? For tonight I cravest chicken fried steak.

Craving

CUPCAKES! I WANT CUPCAKES!

October prickles

It's October, folks. OCTOBER.

Not "the holiday shopping season." Not "time for a six-month portfolio checkup" or "time to check the batteries in your smoke detector."

Step back. Enjoy the cooling in the weather. Use your daylight wisely before the time change later this month. Have a cup of coffee and leave your decorations for whatever holidays you were thinking of in the closet.

And hope you're not working on the night of the time change.

It's just October.