Givin Thanks Abroad

In honor of the approaching greatest holiday ever, I give you flashbacks......

Just because you're living somewhere else doesn't mean the best holiday need be neglected. When living in China and turkey is nowhere in sight....time to improvise.

I made some wonderful friends in Shanghai, both Chinese and western folks. Us Americans will go to great lengths to feel sort of at home during the greatest holiday of all.

Despite living and working in different districts of the city, and finishing work at all different times, we still managed to have a "Thanksgiving" meal together at the closest to home (in more ways than one) that we could find (open late enough on a Thursday too, of course); a place Chinese people are utterly obsessed with and that you can BYOB (pictured above) (as you can do anywhere in China, police stations included--yes, I've done it); I'm talking about a magical little place called: KFC! I got one hyphenated word for ya: buckets-o-chicken.

In Slovakia we drank mulled wine until we got faschnicked and made a USA/CA Thxgivin--football watching and all.

We even had decorations.

I mean, turkeys gotta be carved sometimes.

Plates were most def full--we had a potluck Thanksgiving actually, so everyone was responsible for something; although, some of the more integral materials were left in the hands of more seasoned celebrators. The Lizard and I rocked the potatoes.

We gave the wishbone honors to hostess and head chef, Sarah and Liz.

Watchin football and eatin pumpkin pie with my buds on Thanksgiving--nothing better!

We ate and drank until extreme crankiness set in, as illustrated by Michael Todd.

Sun Chips come from the nuclear warheads that Superman threw into the sun

This cat I know, they call him the Lingokid, periodically buys all sorts of chips. He mixes it up impressively well--all brands, shapes, flavors, health levels. But every so often he buys Sun Chips. GOOD LORD those little bastards kick ass. Remember those old Pringles commercials: "once you pop, youuuuuu can't stop!"? Yeah, Pringles were good....in the 90's. But the cylindrical container thing was a gimmicky fad (or maybe a faddy gimmick). Sun Chips are where it's at--you should go get a bag toDAY! You seriously need assistance to stop eating them. I had to go in the other room--no joke.

I'm not really a chip eater; I'm much more into nutrition. I mean, I'm a human, so of course I enjoy eating great chips. I'm just really good at moderating myself. There are however, a few different chips over the years that have proved more difficult than others to resist eating more than a serving size at a time.

CRUNCHY CHEETOS (you can't share though because others inconsiderately lick their fingers between each bag reach)

PROPER CORN TORTILLA CHIPS (I'm from Texas)

BAKED LAY'S ORIGINAL (just so good and so much healthier than others)

THOSE PREMIUM THICK CUT SEA-SALTED LAY'S POTATO CHIPS (it's like eating bagged home fries)

AS AN OBSCURE PICK: THERE ARE THESE STEREOTYPICALLY GENERIC CLEAR PLASTIC UNLABELED BAGS OF PURPOSELY BURNT AND NATURALLY MISSHAPED, THICK AND YET NOT UNIFORMLY CUT, OVER-SALTED POTATO CHIPS I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A FEW TIMES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC, WHICH PUT ALL OTHER POTATO CHIPS TO SHAME (my goodness!)

AND THEN THERE ARE SUN CHIPS (besides the necessity to change rooms so you don't eat too many, they're WAY healthier than most chips)

Sun Chips even rival Baked Lay's in their nutritional value. Sodium is low, fiber is high, calories from fat are pretty low. It's as if they really are from the sun, the biological creator of all things. They're marvelous. Go get some.

Eat great things!

Fashionably Hated

Ready for a rad Haiku?

People love to hate
so many things for no par-
ticular reason.

Over the years, I've noticed common themes in negative bandwagon jumpers all over the globe. Everyone's entitled to their opinion (such a cliched preface)......but I don't believe that these themes are so consistently under-pleasant. Why? Because I'm open-minded and I have as much clout as the next schmuck.

People hear things enough from those they deem relatively credible sources and they fall in line because it's easier than internal analysis. Some folks go through the motions of analysis whilst already having made up their minds prior to objective thought. My mom "doesn't like" hummus because it looks like sour cream, although she loves beans. When she finally agreed to try it, she mistimed her pre-determined displeasure signal, shaking her head before it actually touched her tongue.

I get that some people (if not many people) genuinely detest things. But so many have nothing to support their notions and choose a thought route because it's common or fashionable. This irritates me. Take Europeans on "Dub-ya," for example. Don't tell me that EVERY single person from Europe passionately hates the former pres. I'm not saying I love the guy, but there's just no way everyone I have EVER spoken to about Jorge individually hates him. Surely many don't actually know enough about him to form an opinion. But go talk to a European.....their ignorant hate is uncanny. Do what I do--ask them why.

Here are some of the common themes people seem to hate in life, merely because it's fashionable to do so. Keep in mind that context may be relevant in some cases. If you're not an avid sports fan, you may not give a shit about sports commentators.


George W. Bush
The Eagles
Starbucks
cats

life after Superbowl
sports commentators
the holidays
going to the dentist
delivering speeches

taking out the trash
tax season
hangovers
rain
traffic

extended hospital stays
tequila
airport security
alternatives to Marlboro
foreigners
accents
grammar corrections
waiting for anything at a restaurant
down time


I can make a GREAT, and oft-overlooked argument for ANY of these. I just wonder: what's with all the hate?