Posted by Brad on May 31st, 2008 — Posted in Journal
Yesterday was the last day of school. It’s always chaotic. Our big tradition is to have a cookout lunch, then to have a watergun fight. Yesterday’s watergun fight was really fun. Kim and Debbie fill the kids’ waterguns with hoses, and the rest of us watch. …until Carol and I get our waterguns out. Then we join in. It’s really fun running through and squirting everyone. Of course we’re irresistable targets to everyone, but that’s okay on a day like yesterday. It was hot outside!
After all the picnicking, we had the 8th Grade Affirmation Service. It’s kind of like graduation, but not, because it’s eighth grade. It was a nice service. We had it at my church, which is big and pretty. The kids were fun to watch. There even was some crying.
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Posted by Brad on May 30th, 2008 — Posted in Journal
At Bible study last night, my contacts started getting really blurry. Earlier this year, I was sure I had some sort of allergy to something at the host’s house. I even wondered if it was their cat. After a series of not-really-scientific studies, where I tried alternately not touching the cat, then touching the cat and rubbing my face and eyes, I don’t think it’s their cat. But there does seem to be something happening when I visit their house.
So after blinking furiously all the way home, it was a great relief to take out my contacts. Under normal circumstances, I might just throw these contacts away. But they are my last pair. I keep telling myself to make an appointment to get new contacts, but my self doesn’t listen very well. I can’t seem to decide if I should take advantage of our new vision plan at school and go to an actual eye place, or if I should just re-enroll in the McVision plan at America’s Best. I’ll be sorry when something happens to this pair of contacts that makes them un-wearable. Stupid self.
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Posted by Brad on May 29th, 2008 — Posted in Journal
Last night I got carry-out from Clementine, the new restaurant near my house. The menu had a bunch of stuff that sounded tasty. I was particularly drawn to a lime-brined chicken or a spicy-crusted Amberjack. Except I didn’t know what an Amberjack was. I suspected it was some special kind of beef. I asked the server when she came to take my order. She said it was a fish. I don’t know that I’ve eaten an Amberjack fish before, so I ordered it. It was tasty and a little spicy. They had kind of a Thai chile thing going on. I liked it.
Upon finishing, I needed to know what an Amberjack was. Was it a teddy bear of the fish world? Would I regret eating it? Nope. According to Wikipedia, they are “voracious predators, which feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans”. So I look at it this way: I’m not contributing to the death of a big fish. I’m saving the lives of countless squid, fish, and crustaceans. You’re welcome, sealife.
Next time, perhaps I’ll decide to save many plants and bugs by eating the chicken. I’m such a champion of the defenseless.
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Posted by Brad on May 28th, 2008 — Posted in Gardening
Yesterday I came home quickly after school so I could finally empty my truck at the dump. The worker at the dump eyed me suspiciosly as he said, “Have you tied up that brush?” I answered with all proper fear and respect, “Yes, sir.” Then he asked, “In bundles?” Many sarcastic answers pounded at the back of my teeth, trying to get out of my mouth. I clenched my jaw. All I said was “Yes, sir.” After another suspicious look at me and my truckload, he graciously allowed me to empty the contents of my truck.
When I got home, I saw something in my garden that I was not supposed to see. It was a rabbit! Having my camera on hand, I got evidence of its presence. I’ve had more than a few seedlings have their heads bit off. And something has been eating the oxalis I got from my visit to Plant Delights Nursery. The oxalis will not survive. And now I know the culprit.
I ran inside to get my BB gun. I keep it handy for such times. But by the time I got it loaded and pumped twenty times, the rabbit was not visible any more. I risked carrying the gun out into the garden to see if I could startle the rabbit into the open, but to no avail. The rabbit has escaped me. Next time, rabbit. Next time.
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Posted by Brad on May 27th, 2008 — Posted in Journal
Apparently the Target in White Marsh is the source for all things strange in the world of candy. The cocaine pouch candy was from there. And now Iced Tea candy. I wonder if there is a Person in Charge of Candy at each Target location. If so, the Person at White Marsh Target must be an interesting character indeed.
I have had Ice Breakers before. I like the fruity selections they offer, but there is something about that candy that leaves a plasticy taste in my mouth. I always look but don’t touch. When I was in Target on Saturday I saw a new flavor: Iced Tea with Lemon. Intruiguing. I like tea, so I got them.
The flavor is un-freaking-believable. They taste exactly like super-sweet lemon iced tea. Plus, there’s no plasticy taste. Plus, they’re sweetened with sorbitol, not aspartame or sucralose. Bonus!
I only go to that Target once every few weeks. I will have to keep an eye out for these in other locations. They’re tasty!
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