The Monotonous Life

So, I don’t write around here too much. No reason really. I just don’t have anything to blog about. You know, I say this every so often and say that I’m not going to do it again and yet I end up back here every single time.

Hmm, I don’t know if there was a point to that. Just sayin, that’s all.

So until I can think of something to write about here’s a video I saw last week. Don’t remember where so apologies to that blog/site. Although me not being able to remember just reinforces the video I think.

Half of the best part of Thanksgiving if your cooking (and like to cook that is) is planning out the menu. What to add to this year’s dinner, what to leave behind, new recipes, different ways of making the food, etc. The other half is being able to eat the food you remember since you were five. And I’m sure family and stuff comes in somewhere (as does the sports-thank God for college basketball). But this is mostly about food so we’ll forget about the fams for the time being.

I was reading Erika’s blog the other day and something she said struck me:

Except for the mashed potatoes, I never make mashed potatoes on T-Day and it feels weird to even be thinking about it. Maybe because I don’t know any black people who make them on Thanksgiving. I’m sure there are some, I just don’t know them… However, since I’m making a roast it seems like mashed is called for don’t you?

I’m not talking about the roast. I don’t have a problem with people having other types of meat (that’s what she said) for Thanksgiving. Instead of the traditional bird this year I’m just doing strictly turkey legs. Seems easier. Plus, it’s closer to fair food and fair food drives my family crazy. How is it closer to fair food? Because at the Coastal Carolina fair (I didn’t go this year making it 10 straight since I’ve been to the fair. I’m proud of that.) that comes around every last week of October/first week of November they serve fried turkey legs. What can I say? Southerners.

Anyway, what struck me in that passage was the mashed potatoes part. Cause, yeah, I’ve never had them either. Ever. I practically begged my mother to let me cook mashed potatoes this year (homemade at that!) and she laughed in my face. Just all of a sudden burst out in laughter and walked away. She then, after a few moments went by, told me that “black people don’t eat mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.”

So I started wondering about the whole black families/no mashed thing. And if the majority of them don’t eat them for turkey day then why not? Is this another one of those food things that goes back to slavery/that’s the only thing our ancestors had to eat? But after thinking about it some more, I don’t know anyone in the South that eats mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. So, is it a Southern thing? Do we Southern folk just not into potatoes mashed the last Thursday of November? And this whole idea got me into thinking nationally. Does anyone eat mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving? Or is it some kind of ad agency hoax we’ve been subjected to for the last 100+ years?

I’m extremely curious about this. You know, if you couldn’t tell from the first 500 or so words in this post. So I’m asking a favor of all of you readers, all 10 of you. Please answer the poll at the bottom. I’d love to have a comment, but just voting is good enough. Cause I need an answer to this. You need an answer to this. Also, I would hate to have a poll up here and only two people voted, one of them being me. So, please vote. Thank you.

And with that I hope everyone has a great (and safe) Thanksgiving!

Edit: Just wanted to say that I love me some mashed potatoes. That’s why I want them. I don’t want it to seem that I hated them or anything. So…yeah.

I’m not asking for a bowl game. I’m not asking for a victory over Ohio State. I’m just want a win over Michigan State. That’s all. I’ve already come to grips with 2008 being the season of suck. I just want this one win. So please Michigan? It’s all I’m asking. I don’t care how. Just win.

I’m not dead. Yay! Just lazy. Haven’t had anything really inspiring to write about. So I haven’t been writing. But that’s going to change. Because this is the time of change. Change we can believe!

Sorry bout that.

Anyway, here are a few things that have been on my mind:

1. I really wish I could drive up to North Carolina and volunteer for the Obama campaign. Everyone and their mama know that South Carolina is going red so there is no point in doing anything here. A few people are going to Greensboro this weekend and next to help out. Damn poorness not letting me have any money.

2. I didn’t get a poll worker job. Boo Dorchester County. The woman called me a few days ago while my phone was charging and left a voice mail. However, I did get to listen in on an interesting phone conversation, something about bitchy workers and wanting different people. So I couldn’t get a job but this woman doesn’t like the people she got working for her? Whatevs.

3. There is Christmas crap out in stores already here in SC. Dear god why? When did having Christmas decorations and stupid Christmas toys up BEFORE HALLOWEEN become an okay thing? Last year a waterpark in Ladson (Charleston area) had this big ass snowman out and blazing with lights November 1. Which means it was up October 31. Why? That’s all I ask. Why?

4. If you have the time please read these four articles: “For Some, Uncertainity Starts at Racial Identity,” “In Generation Seen As Colorblind, Black is Yet a Factor,” Volunteers for Obama Face a Complex Issue,” and “Race Remains Campaign Issue, But Not a Clear One.” These are the types of articles you laugh at because if you don’t you’ll cry. A lot of them are written about either Southern or rural areas, but we all know this still exist all of the US.

5. I saw the first five minutes of “Pushing Daisies” and now wish I had started watching this last year. In other television news I haven’t seen the last three episodes of “Gossip Girl” or this week’s “ANTM.” Nor did I see the season finale of “Project Runway.” I’m slipping.

6. I watched a documentary on S. Carolinian Virginia Duke, the creator of the greatest mayonnaise ever, Duke’s. Seriously, whatever mayo you use fail in comparison.

7. I’m about 25 miles from the beach yet it smells like the ocean outside right now. It’s awesome.

8. Speaking of outside, it’s finally cold enough to wear a sweater/light jacket. Hells yes.

9. College basketball starts soon everyone. Damn soon.

10. And just because…

Actually, he’s on a baseball tour in China this week but that’s not why I added his picture here. I added it because he’s the most perfect human being on Earth. And just because.

Credit (found via through twitter)

Although I do like this one too.

Found via Andrew Sullivan

These need to get on stickers or shirts or tote bags or whatever pronto. I don’t usually buy apparel of anything. Hell, I don’t even have Michigan or Duke t-shirts. But I would buy these without thinking twice. So those who makes shirts and jewelry and all that, please make the things with these logos on it. Immediately. I have a vision of going to my polling place with a shirt of this on or maybe carrying a bag with this logo on it and being hissed at by my fellow South Carolinians. You want my vision to come true, don’t you?

Yep.

I like browsing through a bunch of television channels. You can find a great new show by just flipping. I found “Dirty Jobs” like that. Hell, I didn’t start watching “30 Rock” until there was a commercial break during CSI and I just happen to land on it. But sometimes flipping through the channels can have the adverse affect. It can lead you to some of the worst shows on television. Shows that make you wonder how executives even put it on the air, even after seeing some of what was shot.

I saw one of those shows this past weekend. I will never forgive myself.

There’s a scene in a “Simpsons” episode where Homer is arguing with his brain and his brain decides to leave. That is what my brain did to me. This wasn’t what I saw; what I watch was an elimination or something where this girl was crying over her being eliminated. Or about to be eliminate. Or something. I couldn’t get through the thing because it was just that bad. If you get through the entire three minute trailer above then you deserve a weekend at a posh spa, your favorite sports team winning their highest championship, and your favorite cookie, only it’s 10x bigger than usual.

I don’t think my brain and I are talking. I need to go read some Faulkner or Chaucer and forget those horrible, horrible 30 seconds I watched ever happened.

Okay, so maybe this is a little later then I expected to put it up, but I’ve been busy. Meme, once again, from Jessica.

4 Things I did Today:

1. Wash my hair.

2. Sent in my voter’s registration.

3. Walked two miles (me and running don’t mix).

4. Watched two straight hours of CNN.

4 Things on my To-Do List:

1. Buy more hair products (I’m a complete product junkie).

2. Spruce up my pathetic computer.

3. Sign up to be a poll worker.

4. Write a short story.

4 Things that are my Guiltiest Pleasures:

1. Chocolate.

2. Watching The Amazing Race.

3. Rooting for SEC football teams (at times).

4. Reading John Grisham.

4 Random Facts about Me:

1. I will watch pretty much any college sporting event on television.

2. I watch old episodes of ER.

3. While I’m usually a night owl I like waking up early in the mornings. When I get the chance.

4. My favorite color to paint my nails is clear.

4 Bloggers I’m Tagging:

Why not: Janalee, ATW, Jemelah, Erika

Ok, done. Maybe this will finally give me the inspiration to actually do a post. We can all hope together.