If you ever ask someone how the fires of Hell are going to feel with a look of glee on your face, then you should be aware that you are a horrible witness, and a discredit to the Lord, the church, and your fellow Christians.
Seriously, how do you not feel convicted?
If you can't do it with a loving and kind attitude, you're better off keeping your mouth shut.
Your attitudes and actions speak a lot louder than your words. Just saying.
Peace be unto you.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
A Change on Two Shows I Watch...
I do not watch much television, so what I do watch is, to me, special. Since I don't have full cable television, what I do watch is limited to the broadcast channels, and whatever extras that the cable company offers us.
One of those channels I do watch is PBS-Create, which has a lot of shows on home improvement, travel, cooking and other such shows. So, two of my shows have apparently changed, along with a magazine I like to read.
I've read online that Christopher Kimball (of Cook's Illustrated, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country fame) has departed from the parent company of those media over a contract dispute.
My first indication of the problem was that the recent issue of Cook's Illustrated had, instead of Mr. Kimball's personal editorial, a generic message from the editors that basically had the appeal of cold oatmeal.
Like him or not, the loss of Mr. Kimball will not help this company, in my humble opinion. He was the heart and soul of the shows and even the magazine.
If they do not replace him - fast - with someone who is as engaging and entertaining to the audience, I only see these three media suffering as a result.
I've noticed that he's already off of the tour section of the America's Test Kitchen website. Boston Commons Press is obviously on the ball about their web presence. From what I've seen about a lot of companies and how long it takes them to update their websites, that isn't common.
It's sad to see his presence on the show end like this, though.
I know, I know, it's a business, and in the end, this was all just a business decision. But reality does not wrap itself around that quite so neatly.
Besides, deep down, "business decisions" does not take away the actuality that whatever happens in a business is also personal. I get the feeling that a lot of Mr. Kimball's fans will take this personally.
It'll take some time to see the end results of this.
Peace be unto you.
One of those channels I do watch is PBS-Create, which has a lot of shows on home improvement, travel, cooking and other such shows. So, two of my shows have apparently changed, along with a magazine I like to read.
I've read online that Christopher Kimball (of Cook's Illustrated, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country fame) has departed from the parent company of those media over a contract dispute.
My first indication of the problem was that the recent issue of Cook's Illustrated had, instead of Mr. Kimball's personal editorial, a generic message from the editors that basically had the appeal of cold oatmeal.
Like him or not, the loss of Mr. Kimball will not help this company, in my humble opinion. He was the heart and soul of the shows and even the magazine.
If they do not replace him - fast - with someone who is as engaging and entertaining to the audience, I only see these three media suffering as a result.
I've noticed that he's already off of the tour section of the America's Test Kitchen website. Boston Commons Press is obviously on the ball about their web presence. From what I've seen about a lot of companies and how long it takes them to update their websites, that isn't common.
It's sad to see his presence on the show end like this, though.
I know, I know, it's a business, and in the end, this was all just a business decision. But reality does not wrap itself around that quite so neatly.
Besides, deep down, "business decisions" does not take away the actuality that whatever happens in a business is also personal. I get the feeling that a lot of Mr. Kimball's fans will take this personally.
It'll take some time to see the end results of this.
Peace be unto you.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Churches, Part One
I miss going to church.
An easy answer to that is, of course, "Well, duh, go to church."
It isn't as easy as that. Not anymore. I've experienced some real stupidity in churches in the last several years, and I find myself more than a little bewildered. I've seen some real questionable attitudes and practices, not to mention some real love and kindness, and the combination of good and evil has put me in a state of "I don't know what to do."
One church my family and I attended had a conservative bent. No problem with that, because the message of salvation is that it's available to anyone, no matter who you vote for.
If it was only that simple to the people preaching that message, and to the ones hearing it.
There is an undercurrent of belief amongst too many people who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ that if you vote Democratic or anything other than Republican, then you are not a Christian.
Tell me, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
We also noticed that the church in question had cliques - very prominent cliques which made it very plain that if you weren't in any of them, you were merely cannon fodder. The pastor even acknowledged it and told all of us if we didn't like it, we needed to build a bridge and get over it.
Way to make a person feel needed and loved and welcome.
The church now has a bridge built over a ditch in the back of their property so that "People can get over it." Might as well flip a middle finger up in the air as to give that message. It pretty much means the same thing.
When I think about it now, it seems really telling that I attended a church that basically went out of its way to tick off people in its congregation. It shows how easy it is to tolerate what should be intolerable.
One other telling item I remember was that the church's financial situation and its accounts and records were considered a "secret", to only be open to a select few members. Although it did become very well known amongst the congregation that the church lost several thousand dollars on bad stock market choices.
Why would a house of God invest money in the stock market or in any other manner? I still do not understand that one.
Another problem with that church was that in the teen's class, one teacher made an extra obnoxious effort to force my son to read aloud in front of the class. This same teacher loved to boast about how he forced his two teen daughters to watch The Passion of the Christ.
I've often wondered if he's being obnoxious because that's the way he's always been, or if he does it in the hopes that he'll get in trouble. That way he can claim that he's being persecuted. I've noticed that some people really do want to be a martyr - without the real pain that some believers actually suffer in other countries.
I'm not really surprised that my son doesn't want to go to church anymore. I wonder how many shy and reserved people have been given that same obnoxious treatment, and now refuse to have anything to do with church?
Despite what you've might've read in those Chick Tracts, becoming saved does not automatically make you speak boldly and defiantly. Public speaking is a nerve-wracking experience, and it takes practice to get better at it.
The final straw at that church, however, was the pastor's statement of what we should do if President Obama were to show up during Sunday services. He told us that we should take off our shoes and throw them at him.
I guess that even a pastor isn't above hating people.
Not only have I grown up with a lot of Sunday school lessons, I've also taken many classes on the lives of people in classical and ancient times. Throughout all of that, I learned that one of biggest sins a person could ever commit was to attack a visitor. Being a host is a sacred obligation, one that is not to be taken lightly. But, to our pastor, throwing shoes at that man was more important than being a good host, not to mention welcoming a visitor to our church.
When I look back over the years (too many) that we spent there, the pastor openly despised liberals and left out relevant details about his political enemies in order to push a point of view he wanted followed.
Another way to put it is that he lied about others for political reasons, and supported national and so-called religious leaders who also lied about the same things.
To put it even simpler, he violated the Ninth Commandment, and supported others who did the same thing, and encouraged us to do the same thing.
Despite what you may have been taught, the ends do not justify the means. What do you have to lose when you lie about your enemies? Nothing more than your own soul.
What really distresses me is that a lot of Christians do not see that they're being played like a violin by political and so-called Christian leaders. They really fear that if they don't vote the way their Christian leaders tell them, they'll go to hell.
Again I ask, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
I will say this, however: If you give up your right to vote to someone who tells you how to cast your vote, then you deserve neither democracy nor freedom. You will have become worse than those apathetic individuals who refuse to vote at all.
Pray about it, yes, very much so, but watch what the candidates say and do. After all, their actions are a louder witness than what they say.
Should I even have to say that you shouldn't hate anyone, especially someone you have no intention of voting into office, or even someone who votes or believes differently than you do? Hatred is not only murdering someone in your own heart (a violation of the Sixth Commandment), but it is a luxury you cannot afford. When you hate someone, they control you and you allow yourself to be (figuratively) enslaved to them. I can assure you that you are not in their thoughts. So why do that to yourself and to your soul? It's not worth it.
I leave you with a verse I always try to keep in mind when I'm troubled.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
--Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Peace be unto you.
An easy answer to that is, of course, "Well, duh, go to church."
It isn't as easy as that. Not anymore. I've experienced some real stupidity in churches in the last several years, and I find myself more than a little bewildered. I've seen some real questionable attitudes and practices, not to mention some real love and kindness, and the combination of good and evil has put me in a state of "I don't know what to do."
One church my family and I attended had a conservative bent. No problem with that, because the message of salvation is that it's available to anyone, no matter who you vote for.
If it was only that simple to the people preaching that message, and to the ones hearing it.
There is an undercurrent of belief amongst too many people who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ that if you vote Democratic or anything other than Republican, then you are not a Christian.
Tell me, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
We also noticed that the church in question had cliques - very prominent cliques which made it very plain that if you weren't in any of them, you were merely cannon fodder. The pastor even acknowledged it and told all of us if we didn't like it, we needed to build a bridge and get over it.
Way to make a person feel needed and loved and welcome.
The church now has a bridge built over a ditch in the back of their property so that "People can get over it." Might as well flip a middle finger up in the air as to give that message. It pretty much means the same thing.
When I think about it now, it seems really telling that I attended a church that basically went out of its way to tick off people in its congregation. It shows how easy it is to tolerate what should be intolerable.
One other telling item I remember was that the church's financial situation and its accounts and records were considered a "secret", to only be open to a select few members. Although it did become very well known amongst the congregation that the church lost several thousand dollars on bad stock market choices.
Why would a house of God invest money in the stock market or in any other manner? I still do not understand that one.
Another problem with that church was that in the teen's class, one teacher made an extra obnoxious effort to force my son to read aloud in front of the class. This same teacher loved to boast about how he forced his two teen daughters to watch The Passion of the Christ.
I've often wondered if he's being obnoxious because that's the way he's always been, or if he does it in the hopes that he'll get in trouble. That way he can claim that he's being persecuted. I've noticed that some people really do want to be a martyr - without the real pain that some believers actually suffer in other countries.
I'm not really surprised that my son doesn't want to go to church anymore. I wonder how many shy and reserved people have been given that same obnoxious treatment, and now refuse to have anything to do with church?
Despite what you've might've read in those Chick Tracts, becoming saved does not automatically make you speak boldly and defiantly. Public speaking is a nerve-wracking experience, and it takes practice to get better at it.
The final straw at that church, however, was the pastor's statement of what we should do if President Obama were to show up during Sunday services. He told us that we should take off our shoes and throw them at him.
I guess that even a pastor isn't above hating people.
Not only have I grown up with a lot of Sunday school lessons, I've also taken many classes on the lives of people in classical and ancient times. Throughout all of that, I learned that one of biggest sins a person could ever commit was to attack a visitor. Being a host is a sacred obligation, one that is not to be taken lightly. But, to our pastor, throwing shoes at that man was more important than being a good host, not to mention welcoming a visitor to our church.
When I look back over the years (too many) that we spent there, the pastor openly despised liberals and left out relevant details about his political enemies in order to push a point of view he wanted followed.
Another way to put it is that he lied about others for political reasons, and supported national and so-called religious leaders who also lied about the same things.
To put it even simpler, he violated the Ninth Commandment, and supported others who did the same thing, and encouraged us to do the same thing.
Despite what you may have been taught, the ends do not justify the means. What do you have to lose when you lie about your enemies? Nothing more than your own soul.
What really distresses me is that a lot of Christians do not see that they're being played like a violin by political and so-called Christian leaders. They really fear that if they don't vote the way their Christian leaders tell them, they'll go to hell.
Again I ask, in what book of the Bible is that one written?
I will say this, however: If you give up your right to vote to someone who tells you how to cast your vote, then you deserve neither democracy nor freedom. You will have become worse than those apathetic individuals who refuse to vote at all.
Pray about it, yes, very much so, but watch what the candidates say and do. After all, their actions are a louder witness than what they say.
Should I even have to say that you shouldn't hate anyone, especially someone you have no intention of voting into office, or even someone who votes or believes differently than you do? Hatred is not only murdering someone in your own heart (a violation of the Sixth Commandment), but it is a luxury you cannot afford. When you hate someone, they control you and you allow yourself to be (figuratively) enslaved to them. I can assure you that you are not in their thoughts. So why do that to yourself and to your soul? It's not worth it.
I leave you with a verse I always try to keep in mind when I'm troubled.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
--Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Peace be unto you.
A McDonald's Life Hack
Time for a life hack of the simple sort.
I've noticed lately that the McDonald's near my location has some good deals, going along the lines of two items for two dollars. One of which includes buying a McDouble sandwich and an order of small fries for two dollars.
Normally, I buy myself an Extra Value Meal #2, which consists of two cheeseburgers, fries, and a soft drink. In my area, you can buy the medium size meal for $4.69, and the large meal for $5.19. If you don't tell them what size you want, they seem to make it a large. Of course, I'm tall and stout, so they might think that's what I want.
Let's take a look, value wise. If I buy the value meal (large), I'll pay (with state taxes included) approximately $5.35.
Let's say I opt for the McDouble sandwich and fries, with a large soft drink, instead. This time, I'll pay $3.21, a savings of more than two dollars.
I can agree with that, because money saved means more money for something else.
Now, let's take a look at this, nutrition wise. I know, some people would say that if I cared about nutrition and my health, I wouldn't eat at McDonald's. Well, that's your right, but I eat where I want, thank you very much, and you should, too. If you choose your eating establishments based on what others think of you, then you are a sad person, and I cannot help you.
Besides, I've noticed that quite a few people eat at McDonald's, and their website is very generous with the nutritional information for their food. I do believe in using the resources available at hand to make a thoughtful choice, and I believe that you can have a good meal if you pay attention to what you're doing and make good choices based on what you learn.
First, let's take a look at the two cheeseburgers in the Extra Value Meal. You not only get 600 calories, you also get 24 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbohydrates, and 1,360 mg. of sodium. You will also get 35 grams of protein, 540 International Units of Vitamin A, 400 mg. of calcium, 6 mg. of iron and 2 mg. of Vitamin C.
Compare that with the McDouble sandwich. This has 390 calories, 18 grams of fat, 34 grams of carbohydrates, and 850 mg. of sodium. There is also 22 grams of protein, 280 International Units of Vitamin A, 210 mg of calcium, 3.5 mg. of iron and 1 mg. of Vitamin C.
Buying the McDouble sandwich over the two cheeseburgers saves you not only financially, but it saves you more than 200 calories, 6 grams of fat and 32 grams of carbohydrates and more than 500 mg. of sodium.
How about the fries? Well, it should be obvious that the small fries saves you in more ways than one. A small order of fries gives you 230 calories, compared to 510 calories in a large order. The small order has 11 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 130 mg. of sodium.
The large order will not only give you the 510 calories, but it will give you 24 grams of fat, 67 grams of carbohydrates and 290 mg. of sodium.
A small order will do me, thank you.
Now, when I go to McDonald's, I always get the same thing to drink: A large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. Why? I can get a carbonated soda somewhere else (and usually do), and I happen to like the Hi-C drink. It's a holdover from my youth.
McDonald's charges $1 for any size soft drink, and I prefer the large size. What do I get for that? Well, it's 310 calories, no fat or sodium, but a hefty 84 grams of carbohydrates. I also get 244 mg. of Vitamin C, an impressive 410 percent share of the vitamin's recommended daily allowance. Of course, Hi-C is a vitamin-enriched drink.
So, not only does the McDouble sandwich, small fries and large drink save me more than two dollars, it gives a savings of almost 500 calories, 19 grams of fat, almost 70 grams of carbohydrates and 670 mg. of sodium.
Until McDonald's changes their prices and menu options again, I've found a new meal of choice.
But, I have to tell you, I really, really miss the Cheddar Melt sandwich.
Peace be unto you.
I've noticed lately that the McDonald's near my location has some good deals, going along the lines of two items for two dollars. One of which includes buying a McDouble sandwich and an order of small fries for two dollars.
Normally, I buy myself an Extra Value Meal #2, which consists of two cheeseburgers, fries, and a soft drink. In my area, you can buy the medium size meal for $4.69, and the large meal for $5.19. If you don't tell them what size you want, they seem to make it a large. Of course, I'm tall and stout, so they might think that's what I want.
Let's take a look, value wise. If I buy the value meal (large), I'll pay (with state taxes included) approximately $5.35.
Let's say I opt for the McDouble sandwich and fries, with a large soft drink, instead. This time, I'll pay $3.21, a savings of more than two dollars.
I can agree with that, because money saved means more money for something else.
Now, let's take a look at this, nutrition wise. I know, some people would say that if I cared about nutrition and my health, I wouldn't eat at McDonald's. Well, that's your right, but I eat where I want, thank you very much, and you should, too. If you choose your eating establishments based on what others think of you, then you are a sad person, and I cannot help you.
Besides, I've noticed that quite a few people eat at McDonald's, and their website is very generous with the nutritional information for their food. I do believe in using the resources available at hand to make a thoughtful choice, and I believe that you can have a good meal if you pay attention to what you're doing and make good choices based on what you learn.
First, let's take a look at the two cheeseburgers in the Extra Value Meal. You not only get 600 calories, you also get 24 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbohydrates, and 1,360 mg. of sodium. You will also get 35 grams of protein, 540 International Units of Vitamin A, 400 mg. of calcium, 6 mg. of iron and 2 mg. of Vitamin C.
Compare that with the McDouble sandwich. This has 390 calories, 18 grams of fat, 34 grams of carbohydrates, and 850 mg. of sodium. There is also 22 grams of protein, 280 International Units of Vitamin A, 210 mg of calcium, 3.5 mg. of iron and 1 mg. of Vitamin C.
Buying the McDouble sandwich over the two cheeseburgers saves you not only financially, but it saves you more than 200 calories, 6 grams of fat and 32 grams of carbohydrates and more than 500 mg. of sodium.
How about the fries? Well, it should be obvious that the small fries saves you in more ways than one. A small order of fries gives you 230 calories, compared to 510 calories in a large order. The small order has 11 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 130 mg. of sodium.
The large order will not only give you the 510 calories, but it will give you 24 grams of fat, 67 grams of carbohydrates and 290 mg. of sodium.
A small order will do me, thank you.
Now, when I go to McDonald's, I always get the same thing to drink: A large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. Why? I can get a carbonated soda somewhere else (and usually do), and I happen to like the Hi-C drink. It's a holdover from my youth.
McDonald's charges $1 for any size soft drink, and I prefer the large size. What do I get for that? Well, it's 310 calories, no fat or sodium, but a hefty 84 grams of carbohydrates. I also get 244 mg. of Vitamin C, an impressive 410 percent share of the vitamin's recommended daily allowance. Of course, Hi-C is a vitamin-enriched drink.
So, not only does the McDouble sandwich, small fries and large drink save me more than two dollars, it gives a savings of almost 500 calories, 19 grams of fat, almost 70 grams of carbohydrates and 670 mg. of sodium.
Until McDonald's changes their prices and menu options again, I've found a new meal of choice.
But, I have to tell you, I really, really miss the Cheddar Melt sandwich.
Peace be unto you.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Thoughts on Restaurants and Reviews
At one time, I wanted to be a restaurant reviewer. Then I grew up and that desire left me. I'm not trying to be flippant here, or dismissive of restaurant reviewers, but when I eat at restaurants, I'm there for my enjoyment. If I were to do it because it was my job, I'm afraid that something good would be lost.
After all, I used to enjoy eating at Pizza Hut, until I actually worked there. I haven't worked there for more than twenty years, and it's just not the same as when I was in high school.
There's only so many words that be used to write about food, anyways. The sad thing I've realized is that there are not that many words that can be used when writing about food. An even sadder thing I've realized is that many of those same words can be used to describe sex acts in the cheesiest ways possible.
How crazy is that?
Besides, while I might post an occasional restaurant review here, this blog isn't about erotica, or even double entendres.
But, dealing with restaurants, the best things that can be said about them is that you post all the necessary information, such as:
--Their full title (or what it says on their marquee.) For instance, call it Burger King, not that hamburger place with delusions of royal grandeur.
--Their hours of operation, especially when their prices change from a lunch setting to a dinner one. This is tricky in the case of franchised restaurants.
--Their full and accurate address, especially when it comes to franchised restaurants.
--Their price range. After all, some people like paying through the nose because they believe it's more real, or fits their self-image of their personal class setting. Others want their money's worth, and hate paying for what they view as snobbish phoniness.
--Their phone number and a URL (if they have a web address, that is.)
--Whether they require (or even accept) reservations.
--Their specials. Some places have good deals for their regular customers, or for seniors. Quite a few even have good deals for veterans or active duty service members, especially on Veteran's Day. It never hurts to ask.
The important thing to remember is that a restaurant review is basically the opinion of the reviewer himself (or herself). So you're never really sure if what you're reading is a genuinely good experience, or a self-serving puff piece.
At the same time, in the case of a negative review, you don't know if someone's getting their vengeance for whatever reason, or if he or she really had a nasty experience.
I've read tales of restaurant reviewers demanding perks or special treatment or even special meals for the planned visit.
Not for this guy. When I do a review, I'll pay for the meal myself, and I will not announce who I am or that I'm a reviewer to the staff or anyone else. My reviews will be more of an experience report than an actual review, anyway.
I've learned through real experiences that I'm actually very easy to please at a restaurant. For instance, when I was fourteen, myself and six other relatives went to a restaurant/tavern located in Fort Recovery, Ohio. I don't remember the name of the place, and since it happened in 1976, the place may not exist anymore.
I ordered Swiss steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and a roll. It was delicious, and I really liked my meal, but apparently, I was the only one in my party who did. There was a lot of complaining after we left the place.
At the time, my father was prone to using colorful metaphors when he was displeased with a restaurant. He did get better about that as he got older, though. At least he didn't use them at the restaurant that day.
Or say that my sister and I were to have each written a review immediately after our meal. Our reviews would have been markedly different, even though we were at the same table on the same day and at the same time.
My wife has told me many times that a restaurant review is merely someone's opinion, and not necessarily a fact. I concede that fact, and that applies to movie and book reviews, as well.
You would have to go out of your way to give me bad enough service to actually displease me. Two restaurants have hit that distinction in the last twenty years, and both of them happen to be in Portland, Indiana.
One of them was not open when it was scheduled to be, and no explanation was posted on its main door that day. I'm a pretty easy going person, but if a restaurant does not care to honor their own hours, then I do not care to patronize their business.
The other restaurant had good food, though I've had better cole slaw. I was asked if I wanted mustard and ketchup for my breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and French fries, I said, "Yes."
Apparently, that was only a conversation topic, and not an actual offer of condiments, for the waitress never brought either one. I've not been back to that restaurant, either.
Life's too short to patronize a restaurant you know that you do not like.
As far as eating in a fancy (read that as "expensive") restaurant, you're simply paying for an image, in my humble opinion. The staff in most fancy places is really not any different than those in most working place restaurants.
In some instances, that can be downright frightening. There are some people who work in restaurants in whose homes I would never eat in.
There is a rule of thumb a person needs to observe as a customer in a restaurant.
Treat the staff as you yourself wish to be treated. Unless you are a masochist, you want your dining out experience to be pleasant. Attacking the people who cook your food is a form of Russian roulette. Most cooks are professionals who can work in spite of insults and degradations.
Others, however, are not. It pays to remember what George Orwell wrote in Down and Out in Paris and London: "Roughly speaking, the more one pays for food, the more sweat and spittle one is obliged to eat with it."
Acting superior to others, or treating others as if they were slaves, is hubris, pure and simple. No matter how highly you think of yourself, that doesn't mean it isn't true. There are others who are willing to prove it to you, too.
Why take such a chance?
Now, I shall relax, having eaten a rather delicious Mushroom and Swiss Thickburger from Hardees earlier in the day.
Peace be unto you.
After all, I used to enjoy eating at Pizza Hut, until I actually worked there. I haven't worked there for more than twenty years, and it's just not the same as when I was in high school.
There's only so many words that be used to write about food, anyways. The sad thing I've realized is that there are not that many words that can be used when writing about food. An even sadder thing I've realized is that many of those same words can be used to describe sex acts in the cheesiest ways possible.
How crazy is that?
Besides, while I might post an occasional restaurant review here, this blog isn't about erotica, or even double entendres.
But, dealing with restaurants, the best things that can be said about them is that you post all the necessary information, such as:
--Their full title (or what it says on their marquee.) For instance, call it Burger King, not that hamburger place with delusions of royal grandeur.
--Their hours of operation, especially when their prices change from a lunch setting to a dinner one. This is tricky in the case of franchised restaurants.
--Their full and accurate address, especially when it comes to franchised restaurants.
--Their price range. After all, some people like paying through the nose because they believe it's more real, or fits their self-image of their personal class setting. Others want their money's worth, and hate paying for what they view as snobbish phoniness.
--Their phone number and a URL (if they have a web address, that is.)
--Whether they require (or even accept) reservations.
--Their specials. Some places have good deals for their regular customers, or for seniors. Quite a few even have good deals for veterans or active duty service members, especially on Veteran's Day. It never hurts to ask.
The important thing to remember is that a restaurant review is basically the opinion of the reviewer himself (or herself). So you're never really sure if what you're reading is a genuinely good experience, or a self-serving puff piece.
At the same time, in the case of a negative review, you don't know if someone's getting their vengeance for whatever reason, or if he or she really had a nasty experience.
I've read tales of restaurant reviewers demanding perks or special treatment or even special meals for the planned visit.
Not for this guy. When I do a review, I'll pay for the meal myself, and I will not announce who I am or that I'm a reviewer to the staff or anyone else. My reviews will be more of an experience report than an actual review, anyway.
I've learned through real experiences that I'm actually very easy to please at a restaurant. For instance, when I was fourteen, myself and six other relatives went to a restaurant/tavern located in Fort Recovery, Ohio. I don't remember the name of the place, and since it happened in 1976, the place may not exist anymore.
I ordered Swiss steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and a roll. It was delicious, and I really liked my meal, but apparently, I was the only one in my party who did. There was a lot of complaining after we left the place.
At the time, my father was prone to using colorful metaphors when he was displeased with a restaurant. He did get better about that as he got older, though. At least he didn't use them at the restaurant that day.
Or say that my sister and I were to have each written a review immediately after our meal. Our reviews would have been markedly different, even though we were at the same table on the same day and at the same time.
My wife has told me many times that a restaurant review is merely someone's opinion, and not necessarily a fact. I concede that fact, and that applies to movie and book reviews, as well.
You would have to go out of your way to give me bad enough service to actually displease me. Two restaurants have hit that distinction in the last twenty years, and both of them happen to be in Portland, Indiana.
One of them was not open when it was scheduled to be, and no explanation was posted on its main door that day. I'm a pretty easy going person, but if a restaurant does not care to honor their own hours, then I do not care to patronize their business.
The other restaurant had good food, though I've had better cole slaw. I was asked if I wanted mustard and ketchup for my breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and French fries, I said, "Yes."
Apparently, that was only a conversation topic, and not an actual offer of condiments, for the waitress never brought either one. I've not been back to that restaurant, either.
Life's too short to patronize a restaurant you know that you do not like.
As far as eating in a fancy (read that as "expensive") restaurant, you're simply paying for an image, in my humble opinion. The staff in most fancy places is really not any different than those in most working place restaurants.
In some instances, that can be downright frightening. There are some people who work in restaurants in whose homes I would never eat in.
There is a rule of thumb a person needs to observe as a customer in a restaurant.
Treat the staff as you yourself wish to be treated. Unless you are a masochist, you want your dining out experience to be pleasant. Attacking the people who cook your food is a form of Russian roulette. Most cooks are professionals who can work in spite of insults and degradations.
Others, however, are not. It pays to remember what George Orwell wrote in Down and Out in Paris and London: "Roughly speaking, the more one pays for food, the more sweat and spittle one is obliged to eat with it."
Acting superior to others, or treating others as if they were slaves, is hubris, pure and simple. No matter how highly you think of yourself, that doesn't mean it isn't true. There are others who are willing to prove it to you, too.
Why take such a chance?
Now, I shall relax, having eaten a rather delicious Mushroom and Swiss Thickburger from Hardees earlier in the day.
Peace be unto you.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Finder's Keepers - Or is it Theft?
At one time, Marlboro cigarettes used to have a rewards system for their customers called Marlboro Miles. A person could collect five miles from each pack of their assorted cigarettes and save up to get numerous prizes, from ashtrays to hats to jackets. One year, a group of friends could submit 25,000 miles collectively and earn a furnished billiards table.
Rather nice gift, but a bit difficult to collect for, especially if you didn't have the required number of friends.
I was friends with a Marlboro smoker, and helped him collect the points he needed. In return, he would get me some prizes.
I even found two dollars someone had forgotten that they had folded up and inserted in the clear Mylar plastic surrounding the pack.
Given the way so many people tossed their trash on the ground without any thought, it was surprisingly easy to save up the miles. Friends and family (some of whom did the same thing) thought I was onto a good thing, since I was basically benefitting from other people's lack of cleanliness and total laziness.
Not my grandfather.
He informed me that by picking up and using their trash to my benefit (and to my friend's, as well), I was committing theft - against the person who threw the trash on the ground. My argument that it was litter, and that by picking it up, I was benefitting the neighborhood did not change his opinion at all. The mere act of picking it up made it theft.
I found that attitude disagreeable, and more than a little weird, until another incident opened my eyes a little more.
When my daughter was little (five years old or younger), she sometimes accompanied me on my walk to the post office. On the way down, we saw a quarter laying on the sidewalk. I told her that she could pick the coin up and keep it if she wanted to.
An elderly woman, who happened to be walking in the opposite direction, saw what we did and told me, "When I was her age, my father would've made me put it back down. He would've said, 'It's not yours, so put it back.'"
My daughter kept her quarter, at my insistence. I had to tell her later that she did nothing wrong, and that the woman just had a different opinion.
I see it now as a difference between generations.
Both my dad and my grandfather told me many times that when they were younger, you just didn't find money laying around. They said that it just wasn't as plentiful as it is now.
It's still not that plentiful to me here in the 21st Century, but that's just my opinion.
But let's assume that the woman my daughter and I met was five years old in 1930, which was very possible. In 1930, a quarter would've bought you a good dinner, and you would've had change left over. When my daughter picked up the quarter, we would've been lucky to purchase a fun-sized candy bar from a grocery or a convenience store - if they had any to sell individually.
I disagreed with that woman, just as I disagreed with my grandfather, albeit for different reasons.
Every so often I find money on the ground. If I see someone drop it, then I'll either call their attention to it, or pick it up and chase after them to hand it to them. After all, it's only right.
But I've also found coins unattended, and paper money blowing in the breeze, with nobody chasing after it. I've even seen people throw down small change as if it wasn't worth their time, or efforts to save.
That shocks me, to be honest. Even if I were wealthy, I don't think I could just thrown money down on the ground. I would donate it to a charity of some sort. After all, many small town stores and convenience markets have a can set up for many worthwhile causes. They can use the change you don't want.
As far as I'm concerned, money on the ground is also free money. There's always a bill to pay, and even pennies DO add up. While I feel sorry for someone who loses a twenty-dollar bill, I am and will always be confused by someone who casually tosses aside their small change. I know one women who doesn't want any change, as it's not worth her time to save it up and cash it in.
Confusing, indeed.
One time, I walked up to a pop machine to get something ice cold to drink - and found two-and-a-half dollars in the coin return slot.
A nice benefit, if I do say so myself.
When I was eleven, my family stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee during one of our vacations. We had a great time, and had an aunt who happened to own a small hotel located on the banks of the Little Pigeon River.
One night, we went to the grocery store to buy some food for supper. Being eleven, and a bit flighty and easily bored, I idly pushed all the buttons on all of the machines outside the store
Without warning, one of the machines gave me a ten-ounce orange pop - which confused me at the time. "What do I do?" I asked my dad.
"Drink it," he said. "It's yours now."
I did, and it was a good one. But then again, orange pop usually is good. I still push buttons on the pop machines, but I've only had a couple freebies since then.
In fact, nowadays, all pushing the button does is to tell you how much the corresponding item will cost - or if it happens to be sold out. So, the practice is still beneficial, just in a different direction.
Now, I pick up all the coded bottle caps (and assorted cardboard packaging). It's still litter, and if the person who tossed it aside really wanted it, he or she should've kept it and disposed of it properly.
The codes I pick up supplement the ones I get from stuff I purchase, they benefit my family, and we can find some nice things when we go shopping.
Litter ceases to be property once it's tossed aside. End of story.
Peace be unto you.
Rather nice gift, but a bit difficult to collect for, especially if you didn't have the required number of friends.
I was friends with a Marlboro smoker, and helped him collect the points he needed. In return, he would get me some prizes.
I even found two dollars someone had forgotten that they had folded up and inserted in the clear Mylar plastic surrounding the pack.
Given the way so many people tossed their trash on the ground without any thought, it was surprisingly easy to save up the miles. Friends and family (some of whom did the same thing) thought I was onto a good thing, since I was basically benefitting from other people's lack of cleanliness and total laziness.
Not my grandfather.
He informed me that by picking up and using their trash to my benefit (and to my friend's, as well), I was committing theft - against the person who threw the trash on the ground. My argument that it was litter, and that by picking it up, I was benefitting the neighborhood did not change his opinion at all. The mere act of picking it up made it theft.
I found that attitude disagreeable, and more than a little weird, until another incident opened my eyes a little more.
When my daughter was little (five years old or younger), she sometimes accompanied me on my walk to the post office. On the way down, we saw a quarter laying on the sidewalk. I told her that she could pick the coin up and keep it if she wanted to.
An elderly woman, who happened to be walking in the opposite direction, saw what we did and told me, "When I was her age, my father would've made me put it back down. He would've said, 'It's not yours, so put it back.'"
My daughter kept her quarter, at my insistence. I had to tell her later that she did nothing wrong, and that the woman just had a different opinion.
I see it now as a difference between generations.
Both my dad and my grandfather told me many times that when they were younger, you just didn't find money laying around. They said that it just wasn't as plentiful as it is now.
It's still not that plentiful to me here in the 21st Century, but that's just my opinion.
But let's assume that the woman my daughter and I met was five years old in 1930, which was very possible. In 1930, a quarter would've bought you a good dinner, and you would've had change left over. When my daughter picked up the quarter, we would've been lucky to purchase a fun-sized candy bar from a grocery or a convenience store - if they had any to sell individually.
I disagreed with that woman, just as I disagreed with my grandfather, albeit for different reasons.
Every so often I find money on the ground. If I see someone drop it, then I'll either call their attention to it, or pick it up and chase after them to hand it to them. After all, it's only right.
But I've also found coins unattended, and paper money blowing in the breeze, with nobody chasing after it. I've even seen people throw down small change as if it wasn't worth their time, or efforts to save.
That shocks me, to be honest. Even if I were wealthy, I don't think I could just thrown money down on the ground. I would donate it to a charity of some sort. After all, many small town stores and convenience markets have a can set up for many worthwhile causes. They can use the change you don't want.
As far as I'm concerned, money on the ground is also free money. There's always a bill to pay, and even pennies DO add up. While I feel sorry for someone who loses a twenty-dollar bill, I am and will always be confused by someone who casually tosses aside their small change. I know one women who doesn't want any change, as it's not worth her time to save it up and cash it in.
Confusing, indeed.
One time, I walked up to a pop machine to get something ice cold to drink - and found two-and-a-half dollars in the coin return slot.
A nice benefit, if I do say so myself.
When I was eleven, my family stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee during one of our vacations. We had a great time, and had an aunt who happened to own a small hotel located on the banks of the Little Pigeon River.
One night, we went to the grocery store to buy some food for supper. Being eleven, and a bit flighty and easily bored, I idly pushed all the buttons on all of the machines outside the store
Without warning, one of the machines gave me a ten-ounce orange pop - which confused me at the time. "What do I do?" I asked my dad.
"Drink it," he said. "It's yours now."
I did, and it was a good one. But then again, orange pop usually is good. I still push buttons on the pop machines, but I've only had a couple freebies since then.
In fact, nowadays, all pushing the button does is to tell you how much the corresponding item will cost - or if it happens to be sold out. So, the practice is still beneficial, just in a different direction.
Now, I pick up all the coded bottle caps (and assorted cardboard packaging). It's still litter, and if the person who tossed it aside really wanted it, he or she should've kept it and disposed of it properly.
The codes I pick up supplement the ones I get from stuff I purchase, they benefit my family, and we can find some nice things when we go shopping.
Litter ceases to be property once it's tossed aside. End of story.
Peace be unto you.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
First Posting on a Beautiful Fall Day
You know, I really hate having to work on a Sunday. It not only interferes with going to church, but it also ruins what could've a good lazing around day.
As it ended up, it was one of my easier work days. Since I make normal pay (Sunday is my workplace's first day of the week, and we don't get time and a half until we hit 40 hours. C'est la vie.) I'm glad for that.
Did a lot of simple paperwork, then came home and washed dishes so that my wife didn't have to. All in all, a very good day, and a real blessing from God.
Peace be unto you.
As it ended up, it was one of my easier work days. Since I make normal pay (Sunday is my workplace's first day of the week, and we don't get time and a half until we hit 40 hours. C'est la vie.) I'm glad for that.
Did a lot of simple paperwork, then came home and washed dishes so that my wife didn't have to. All in all, a very good day, and a real blessing from God.
Peace be unto you.
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