November 18, 2008

When the smoke cleared...

I haven't felt very bloggy the last few days. I don't know why; maybe it was the fires. So let's start there. For those of you from the other coasts - y'know, East and, um, Midwest and Canadian - here are a few fire-related FAQs, from an extremely narrow point of view:

1) Were you anywhere near the fires? Not really.

2) Did you smell smoke? Yes, for most of Saturday, all of Sunday and Monday morning, it smelled vaguely like you were standing a foot away from a Weber grill that had just been used for grilling the heck out of something all afternoon.

3) What about ash, bro? It was most noticeable on Sunday morning. I parked Al outside for about 90 minutes while we ate brunch in Playa Del Rey, and when we came back, it looked like he had been subject to a light dusting of snow. Given that we were in PDR, I was fairly certain, however, that 'twas not snow. 'Twas ash from the fires. Also, what's up with the "bro" thing?

4) Screw you - what's up with the 'twas crap? Good point. Next....

5) Did it affect anyone you know? My beautiful wife's aunt and uncle live in Montecito, and their home survived basically unscathed despite being very close to where that fire started. We also know someone who lives in the same area and lost a guest house but miraculously not his main home. The fire got to his porch and then stopped.

6) So a lot of people must be very fire-conscious now, huh? You would think. But apparently, not the case. On our way to the gym after work last night, we were driving through one of the canyon roads, where plants and homes would be very susceptible to fire. And some turdface a few cars in front of us tossed a lit cigarette out of his car.

In not-really-related news:

Fred Willard was my latest celeb sighting. Last night, Studio City.

I'm enjoying the heck out of Sweet Leaf mint and honey iced tea. If you like iced tea and you like mint and honey, there'd be no earthly reason why you wouldn't like this beverage. Even if you only like two out of the three, there's a good chance you'll dig it. You should be able to find it at your local Whole Foods, unless it's one of those dumb Whole Foods, like mine, that conveniently only carries it every third day or so.

By the way, help me out here: The world's most super wife (mine) pronounces the name of the store thusly: WHOLE Foods. I've always said Whole FOODS. I think it's a regional thing. But I'd like your whole opinion. Please share in comments.

Howard thinks I should stop picking on Sarah Palin. As mentioned earlier, I wanted to, but she keeps rearing her wild-animal-shooting head in very public ways. And, besides, if Dick Cavett can keep picking on her in incredibly amusing ways (seriously, worth reading) (unless you're Howard, probably), well, who am I not to post a link?

Incidentally, anyone else remember Cavett's outstanding cameo on season 2 of Cheers, back in the Shelley Long era? Great exchange: Diane: Excuse me, I couldn't help noticing you're Dick Cavett. Dick: I couldn't help being Dick Cavett.

Alright. I guess I'm feeling bloggier again.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay - so much to respond to, so little time.
1) on a serious note, sorry about the fires and their proximity to family. really. but again, MOVE EAST.
2) fred willard's a celebrity?
3) keep going with sarah palin. she deserves it.
4) can't you just say WHOLE FOODS with the emphasis on both? that's my vote.
5) while everyone else is feeling recession, you're out buying fancy flavorful tea. go figure.
6) oh! poor AL. hopefully you cleaned him right up & GAVE HIM A NAME OF HIS OWN!

JBhumitra said...

i say WHOLE foods also.

that tea sounds delicious; i am going to look for it next time. im not sure which whole foods you visit, but i highly recommend the one in el segundo. it is a mecca. im not sure if you like spinach-type pastries such as spanakopitas (i am obsessed), but they have a really delish hot bar where you can get such yummy delights.

im astonished that someone would toss their cigarette out like that, but i guess i shouldnt be. there was actually a fire in our neighborhood, but not near my house. a few years ago we had some close calls though. i rolled down my windows for 1 minute, going less than 1 mile an hour, in order to get better visibility backing out of a driveway, and all this ash blew into my newly-cleaned car. also, this morning when i was running i could feel it in my lungs a bit. still, not as bad as delhi.

DGB said...

As much as I love the smell of BBQ in the morning (and the afternoon and the evening) it's no fun when it makes your head hurt and your eyes water. And being stuck in the house with a toddler and baby is no great shakes either.

My wife says WHOLE Foods. I can't tell you what I say because I've read your post and have no idea what I'd say if I weren't thinking about it. You'll have to ask me tomorrow.

Loree said...

I've sat here and said "Whole Foods" out loud four times and still have no idea how I'm saying it.

Your escalator operator said...

B - 1) sure. 2) yes. 3) OK. 4) strangely diplomatic. 5) 2 teas cost the same as one chai, so i'm saving tons. 6) no.
J - That sounds like a long way to go for tea, but it might be worth it.
DGB - My sympathy. I gather it was worse where you were. Also, maybe women just pronounce it wrong.
L - That cracked me up.

GlutenGirl said...

It must be that all beautiful wives say Whole Foods the right way.

Your escalator operator said...

GG - You might have a point there.