I've got something to say about drivers here in Northern California. Okay. I've got A LOT to say about drivers here. But my biggest pet peeve about most drivers, general lack of common sense aside, is the blatant disregard for the power of the turn signal. Puh-leeze! It's not rocket science. It doesn't require anyone to do any complicated manuevers. It's pretty easy to do, people! So why do sooooooooo many drivers not employ this one simple courteous act of driving?
In particular, more than any other driver I've observed, is the one behind the wheel of a Mercedes Benz. Ahhh...German engineering at it's (supposed) finest. My apologies to BMW owners, as well as those who tool around in their Volkswagens, Audis, and Porsches. Most of those other cars appear to have actual working turn signals. But what happened to the Mercedes? Now, it has been a while since I sat behind the wheel of a Mercedes, but I do recall the last time I was IN one. And the driver pointed out to me that they are actually equipped with a turn signal lever.
"So," I asked her, "why do I see so many Mercedes on the road and they never signal?"
No answer. Long pause. Defeat admitted. "Hmmm...I don't know."
Well, at least now we know that the German auto designers didn't forget to install the turn signal. Could it be that the instruction manual fails to mention it? Did we somehow lose those pages in translating the owners manual? Does the manual go from turning on the headlights to how to use the windshield wipers?
Or could it be the drivers themselves? I'm pretty sure not all Mercedes drivers are inconsiderate and incompetent drivers. I know a few. They're nice people. But how do you explain the driver I was driving behind on Highway 99 (that'd be THE 99, for all y'all from SoCal) yesterday who drove for TEN miles with his right turn signal on? Yeah, I was shocked to see a Mercedes with it's turn signal on. But as I drove behnd him, in the left hand lane, he only shifted to the right twice...ALL the time with his turn signal on...even when he came back to the left.
I drove past him at one point, confirming that, yes, a person was in there, and yes, it was indeed a male driver. As I shifted one lane to my right (yes, I signaled!) and he drove past me again, I did notice the turn signal was no longer blinking. Did he finally realize it was on and turn it off, or did the bulb just burn out? I'm sure I'll never really know. But pay attention while you're on the road. See how many Mercedes you are on the road with that don't signal. And if they DO, does it stay on?
You'll know me when you see me...I'm that driver that signals when I'm turning into a parking space! Or pulling away from the curb. Heck - I even signal when I'm turning into my driveway! I think everyone on the road with me deserves to know which way I'm going!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Are you a closet Food Network TV star?
Admit it, please. You're kind of addicted to the Food Network. You feel like you know all the celebrity chefs personally. You sometimes find yourself in restaurants critiqueing the food, the service, whether or not to write to Guy about visiting the D, D, or D you're in. You even catch yourself breaking down a dish while you're in the kitchen preparing dinner, explaining why you're adding butter to a cold pan, and why you're dicing instead of mincing. You know you do it! It's okay! Somebody? It can't just be me!
Season eight of "The Next Food Network TV Star" just started, and the format is interestingly different. I'm not going to go into detail, in case you've got it on DVR and haven't watched it yet, yet one thing remains the same...what's your foodie style? I give Kudos to last season's winner...the self-proclaimed "Sandwich King." He knew his niche in the kitchen and remained true, whatever challenges were thrown at him. Every season, the show begins, and every season I wonder to myself...."what's my focus?" Can 'I like to Eat' be mine?!
Ask my husband and daughter, and they'd probably have a really quick answer - "She'll put a fried egg on it!" Yeah, maybe. I can admit, my thought process on that usually begins as we're wrapping up dinner, and I can see what kind of leftovers I'll be working with. A little rice and chicken...it'll make a great breakfast, with a fried egg on it! Mashed potatoes and corn...potatoe pancakes, with a fried egg on it!
Sometimes, leftovers don't make the breakfast cut. That's when they become the "do-overs." Which would be my other foodie talent. Using leftovers in a creative way doesn't exactly work in a restaurant setting, but it could be a tv show, right? Maybe? It's at least a cookbook, I think. My husband, the real cook in this household, creates elaborate meals for dinner, often with leftovers. When they don't make the breakfast plate (with a fried egg on it!), I attempt to turn them into another meal a night or two later.
Not content to merely re-heat and re-serve, I try to create a new dish. I suppose that's how soups and stews got their humble beginnings. It's a challenge I welcome. Got leftovers you're not sure how to do-over? Try me! I'll bet with your leftovers and a few basic staple items, we can (re)create something yummy. Not only will you cut down on food waste, you may find yourself cutting down your weekly food bill, too. One roasted chicken, could become two dinners and lunch (provided you aren't harboring an NFL team or a group of runaway slaves!).
Are you wondering what I had for breakfast today? Leftover garlic fries, chopped and pan-fried, smothered in leftover sausage gravy, accompanied by...yup! a fried egg. And half an leftover avocado. Yum!
Season eight of "The Next Food Network TV Star" just started, and the format is interestingly different. I'm not going to go into detail, in case you've got it on DVR and haven't watched it yet, yet one thing remains the same...what's your foodie style? I give Kudos to last season's winner...the self-proclaimed "Sandwich King." He knew his niche in the kitchen and remained true, whatever challenges were thrown at him. Every season, the show begins, and every season I wonder to myself...."what's my focus?" Can 'I like to Eat' be mine?!
Ask my husband and daughter, and they'd probably have a really quick answer - "She'll put a fried egg on it!" Yeah, maybe. I can admit, my thought process on that usually begins as we're wrapping up dinner, and I can see what kind of leftovers I'll be working with. A little rice and chicken...it'll make a great breakfast, with a fried egg on it! Mashed potatoes and corn...potatoe pancakes, with a fried egg on it!
Sometimes, leftovers don't make the breakfast cut. That's when they become the "do-overs." Which would be my other foodie talent. Using leftovers in a creative way doesn't exactly work in a restaurant setting, but it could be a tv show, right? Maybe? It's at least a cookbook, I think. My husband, the real cook in this household, creates elaborate meals for dinner, often with leftovers. When they don't make the breakfast plate (with a fried egg on it!), I attempt to turn them into another meal a night or two later.
Not content to merely re-heat and re-serve, I try to create a new dish. I suppose that's how soups and stews got their humble beginnings. It's a challenge I welcome. Got leftovers you're not sure how to do-over? Try me! I'll bet with your leftovers and a few basic staple items, we can (re)create something yummy. Not only will you cut down on food waste, you may find yourself cutting down your weekly food bill, too. One roasted chicken, could become two dinners and lunch (provided you aren't harboring an NFL team or a group of runaway slaves!).
Are you wondering what I had for breakfast today? Leftover garlic fries, chopped and pan-fried, smothered in leftover sausage gravy, accompanied by...yup! a fried egg. And half an leftover avocado. Yum!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Hello, cheers, and bon apetit!
Greetings!
I am Ness, and I find I often have random thoughts to share. I want an audience, and I have chosen you!
We're going to talk a lot about wine, and other spirits, and a lot about food - two of my very favorite things! I welcome questions, comments, and most other feedback y'all would like to serve up.
Occasionally, we'll talk travel - another of my faves. This could encompass a huge variety of subjects....the crazy fees that airlines charge, the fascinating array of people I've encountered at the ariport, or the driver who just can't follow basic rules of the road. I have a hula doll on my dashboard. Her name is Kealoha, and she shares my many roadtrips. You'll probably get to meet her along the way. She doesn't have much to say, but she sure sees a lot!
Join me on this journey called LIFE! Ready?
I am Ness, and I find I often have random thoughts to share. I want an audience, and I have chosen you!
We're going to talk a lot about wine, and other spirits, and a lot about food - two of my very favorite things! I welcome questions, comments, and most other feedback y'all would like to serve up.
Occasionally, we'll talk travel - another of my faves. This could encompass a huge variety of subjects....the crazy fees that airlines charge, the fascinating array of people I've encountered at the ariport, or the driver who just can't follow basic rules of the road. I have a hula doll on my dashboard. Her name is Kealoha, and she shares my many roadtrips. You'll probably get to meet her along the way. She doesn't have much to say, but she sure sees a lot!
Join me on this journey called LIFE! Ready?
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