The Popcorn Conversation

A co-worker and I had a half-hour talk the other day about popcorn. It stemmed from an earlier conversation we had about it, which sounds weird. I told my co-worker about how I have not had microwave popcorn for 5 or 6 years because we got an air popper as a gift in '01, and then told him about some factory workers getting lung disease from the powdered "flavoring" used in the bags.

Then a few days later, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal ran an article about the dangers of microwave popcorn and how ConAgra dropped the dangerous chemical!! That spurned the half-hour conversation about it. Don't get me started on ConAgra. They have a laundry list of lawsuits and a criminal-like history of sociopathic behavior. That's a subject for another post. But back to popcorn, how dangerous is this flavoring chemical to the casual consumer?

We couldn't believe that someone in Colorado who ate two bags a day for ten years had the same lung damage as the popcorn plant workers!! What??!! Unbelievable!! Who knew that stuff was that bad?? Furthermore, who eats two bags of popcorn a day for ten years?? That's the real question. Popcorn? I mean, I could see even one bag a day, but Jesus man, put it down for a while.

It's best to go old-school, buy the corn kernels from a small outfit and air pop them. Just pretend it's 1983 and you just put in the rented tape of E.T. in the VCR and you're totally stoked about the miracle of rented movies.

Bushhand

This is a new term I invented. It pertains to the shorthand Bush often talks in.

Example: "The taking of a life – to save a life – is unethical."

Bushhand for: "The taking of a life – to save a life – is unethical. Unless it is a war, military campaign, police action, or negligence by a corporate multinational, or anything else Rumsfeld tells me is o.k. That's right, I still call him for advice. Man, a grilled reuben sounds real good about now."

T-minus 1 day

...and counting for my son's birthday. As I look back on this past year I can say it's been crazy. And crazy good at that. We moved from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee, went through three jobs, moved again, and put out a refrigerator fire. I had a three month sabbatical with my son over the summer when we moved to Milwaukee. All I thought about was popsicles, beaches, kites, pizza, Dr. Seuss, Peep and the Big Wide World (the theme song by Taj Mahal is the best), and fireworks. Awesome. Then I had to get a job, which gave me a panic attack and forced me to seriously think about what I really like to do and how I should spend my working hours dedicated to improving the human condition on some level.

Whatever, I have been busy trying to dig shortbread cookies out of the console shifter on my car and trying not to cuss out the person who leaves their shoes 3 inches from the bedroom door in the pitch dark of night. Anyway, the year spent with my 3 year old has been the best.

Best moment: Three way tie: naked cowboy, his moving van "Victory Dance," and floating aimlessly down the pond in an inflatable raft, only to come face-to-face with a snapping turtle.

Most memorable: My son locking himself in the bathroom, with no key, and me drawing diagrams on paper showing which knob to turn and which way to turn it–then shoving it underneath the door so he could read it. He about lost it, and I almost had to climb a ladder and break the window to get in. Good start to the day.

A Guide to your Freelance Business

Stumbled upon Freelance Switch - The Freelance Blog. It's an awesome resource for folks like me who freelance from time to time. It's even better for those who are pursuing the freelance gig full time. From figuring your hourly rate to creating a marketing and business process, it's a great reference site.

Incentives for Being Green

Two sites that list rebates and cold hard cash for being smart:

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Yo - Drop the Dimes

GreenDimes is a service that stops most of the junk mail you get. Just register, and they moniter the marketing lists that advertisers use to send you all kinds of rubbish through your mailbox.

So visit, register, and then watch your junk mail disappear–not to mention the trees, water, and local taxes you save. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Vacation

If you haven't noticed, I have been on a lengthy vacation. And I have no shame. I am going to post some links I have accumulated recently, so look for new s-tuff. Don't be shy. Do look for a new design and daily posts next year. Don't drive drunk. Do call a limo or stay home. Don't eat too many sweets. Do call your mother. Don't fight with your sister. Do read this blog in January. Don't scold me for not posting for two + months. Do buy Peter Bjorn & John's Writer's Block (despite charges of lip-synching and fakery lately). Don't listen to corporate radio.