This Week in Blogs, Volume VII
Hi Friends. Thanks for coming back. Sorry that I haven’t posted since last Friday. I actually haven’t been doing much blogstalking this week, so I’m not sure how this is going to go this week. But I do have a few valid reasons for my decreased blogging/blogstalking:
1. I was traveling for work all week. I still haven’t figured out how to make blogstalking a billable expense.
2. When I did have free time on the interweb, I spent most of it watching this video. I don’t know why, but I can’t stop watching it.
3. Due to an unfortunate incident, Kate’s laptop is no longer with us. Not only does it have an earthquake fault line running from the top of the monitor to the bottom, but it also has contracted the blue screen of death. So Kate’s blogstalking has decreased 100%.
Sorry about the poor picture quality. The late laptop is the one that has our photo software on it, so this picture is brought to you by my iPhone. Awesome.
They just don’t make ‘em like they used to. HP/Apple/Dell…if you’re listening…we’re a laptop down over here. Hint hint.
Alright. Enough with the excuses. Here’s what I’ve got from my limited blogstalking…
Caitlin Tipping Point is detoxing after a college-style weekend spent at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. You can find her ‘blogger gone wild’ post here. This was probably one of my favorite posts of the week. Kate and I had a discussion a couple weeks ago about what our blogs would look like if we had been food bloggers in college. Of course we didn’t have food blogs in college, because we’re old and the interweb didn’t exist back then. But we’re amazed at how healthy all of the college food bloggers are these days. My college food blog would look a whole lot like Caitlin’s Apple Blossom post. Dinner would be a large pizza and a twelve pack (insert pictures of sweet, sweet college). Late night snack would be Southern Comfort and one of my roommate’s pet goldfish (insert slightly blurry pictures). Breakfast would be served around noon and would be a 64 ounce orange Gatorade, a couple of Advil, and leftover pizza crust from the night before (insert picture of the pizza box in the garbage can, and me rescuing the discarded crust). Oh, the memories.
Kath has spent the last few days freaking out about a snake that she found in her garage. Now, I’ve got no problem with her freaking out about a snake. I’m not a fan of snakes. My beef is with the snake’s name. Those of you who have wandered off of the home page may have noticed that our dog son’s name is Gilbert. Then Kath goes and names her garage snake Gilbert too. This is not cool at all. There is only room for one Gilbert in Charlotte blogland, and he is covered in fur. I expressed my concern to Kath and she said she’d stop talking about Gilbert the snake if I came over and removed it from their garage. I actually considered it for a good 30 seconds, but then I thought that even if I got rid of the snake, there would probably be a KERF post about me removing the snake and it would be Gilbert this and Gilbert that all over again. I just can’t win. Doesn’t the snake have a middle name or something that we can call him instead? Maybe I’ll start a petition to get his name changed. Nah, I’ll just read some more blogs instead.
Heather at Heat the Salmon Butt made some purple cauliflower in this post. I did not know that things existed in nature in that color. I was giving Crayola all the credit for bright ass purple (it can only be found in the big box of crayons). Good to know. I doubt I’d like the cauliflower, but I do appreciate the color. I like foods where I can correctly identify the color. I’m not very good with colors. Another way to say that would be to say that I’m sort of color blind, but that makes it sound like it’s a big deal, so I prefer to say that I’m not good with colors. Most people don’t know that about me until I completely mess up the color of something and they look at me like I’m stupid. I’ll usually say something like, pass me the green peppers. They’ll look at me, and then pass me the peppers which are most likely red. I can usually just blame it on the wine. But with this cauliflower, I am 100% sure of the color, so maybe I should give it a try. Who am I kidding…I’m not going to eat cauliflower.
It was an exciting week for Jenn at Eating Bender. Not only did she finish 90 days of P90X, but she also got engaged to Bobby. You can read all about it (and be the eleventy billionth person to comment) here. It was a pretty solid proposal story. I’m not really picky when it comes to proposal stories. All I really want is:
1. A creative way of proposing
2. No mention of ‘heart’ and ’skipping a beat’ in the description
Jenn and Bobby succeeded on both fronts. He proposed on the golf course. I was going to comment on the post, but thought better of it. Everyone was saying things like “oh, that’s so romantic” and “that ring is beautiful.” My comment was going to be something like “what courses do you recommend in Chicago? And congrats on qualifying for state your sophomore year of high school.” I decided against it. But seriously - Bender, if you can get me on Medinah you should let me know. Oh, and congrats to you and Bobby.
K-Dizzle at K’s Good Eats had an entertaining week. Her name probably isn’t really K-Dizzle, but I couldn’t get an official name (other than K) so we’re going to go with K-Dizzle until I hear otherwise. Actually, that’s probably going to stick even if I find out what her real name is. Anyway, K-Dizzle made some greek yogurt parfaits in this post that actually looked really good. I don’t think I really like greek yogurt. It’s sort of a game at our house. Kate buys it. I make smartass comments about her buying it, then she somehow finds ways to sneak it into my food and then doesn’t tell me until I eat it. Nothing makes her happier than sneaking things into my food without me knowing it. It’s all fun and games unless she decides to poison me, Law and Order Criminal Intent-style. K-Dizzle is a fan of Law and Order, so she knows what I’m talking about.
Stock Up
Computer Sales - Well, not yet. But I doubt Kate is going to make it anyone week without a blog reading machine
Seizure-Inducing Font Colors - Bites and Bowls is one of my favorite blogs, but if Kelsey continues with these font colors, she should include a warning label for pregnant women and the elderly. Sorry Kelsey…Matt made me write that.
Personification of Food Box Picture People - I’ve seen an uptick of food bloggers referring to the people either named or pictured on food packaging as if they are friends or family. See Arnold and his bread, Annie and her mac & cheese, Bob and his rolled oats, etc.
Half Marathons - Congrats to Rose, her lobsters, her placemats, and all of the other food bloggers who recently completed a half.
Stock Down
Spam Comments on my blog - I still get a few. Mostly from some random ass weight loss company trying to sell some kind of super colon blow weight loss product, but I haven’t been getting as many as usual. What happened to the Viagra spam comments? Do y’all not like me anymore? Number of comments is Kate’s only metric for determining blog popularity (More Comments = More popular blog). I want my wife to think this is a successful blog…so bring it.
Swine Flu Hysteria - I didn’t see anyone wearing masks at the airport this week. And The Today Show went a full segment without talking about it. So maybe we’re done with the flu. Or maybe it was because Tripp Palin and his baby mama were on with Matt Lauer. Or are we done freaking out about this global pandemic now? That was fast.
Jillian’s Devil Shred - That was so last month
Alright. That’s all for this week. We’ll try to do better next time.
you have me in stitches every week
What kind of dog is your Gilbert?
Ellie - Thanks
Kacy - Gilbert is the best dog in the world. Ever. But if you meant what breed of dog - he’s a Shar Pei and Rat Terrier mix.
I think you should have included a picture of handsome Mr. Gilbert, so we could all see the injustice Kath was doing by referring to a snake as Gilbert (I know I could click on “the fam” tab to see said picture, but really - who has time for that?
You’re still going strong, assure Kate that we thoroughly enjoy your posts.
Alli - You’re right. If it was up to Kate, every post would have multiple pictures of Gilbert. It’s a slippery slope.
Jessica - Thanks. I’m glad you like ‘em.
When work interferes with blogging, it’s just a shame. My college food would have also included chicken cheese steaks, tukey and cheese lunchables and Mountain Dew Code Red. When I went back to my college this fall I found an organic salad bar, a sushi station and a high fructose corn syrup free on campus market!
Love love love these posts. I really do look forward to them each week
You are hilarious. I could not stop laughing while I was reading this post.
I’m glad that the proposal fit your criteria
And hey, I totally would have appreciated your comment about golf. I wish I had magic powers that would give me the ability to play Medinah, but so far, no dice. I’ll be sure to let you know, though. Did you play competitively in school or is it something you took up just for fun? I actually haven’t played too many courses in Chicago, but if you and Kate ever travel to Arizona, let me know. Those courses are beautiful!
I also think that the “Arnold bread” personification may have been directed at me. You know you appreciated my picture of the Terminator.
Also, I just thought you should know that I saw a woman walking out of Costco with a mask and a huge shawl over her head the other day. The swine flu hysteria has not left Chicago.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you and Kate will get a free Mac. What better way to review a computer than through a blog? I think it’s a win-win for both parties involved.
Thanks again for the laughs, Nate!
I made it - my 15 minutes of fame has arrived! Thank you for linking that commercial, I can see why you’ve been watching that video over and over. I’m orange (thank you carrots and SP) and I love the Red House as well.
Love the posts!! You crack me up!
ahhh i wish i could be great enough for a spot in the blog stalker!! lol super funny as always, thanks for the post lunch laugh break!
i love the stock up and stock down part- because it does seem like everyone follows a pattern- too funny!!
Love it!
Hangry - I also fancied the Code Red. Now I have an irregular heartbeat when I see it in the store.
Shannon - Thanks
Bender - You’ve got mail
K-Dizzle - It is quite an honor. You should consider including a link to this post on your resume
Mariposa - It’ll happen when you’re least expecting it
For not reading alot of blogs this week, due to the blue screen of death issue and all, you sure came up with a lengthy post.
Also, what laptop do you have that died like that, so I can avoid buying one when I go to purchase a new laptop? Just trying to do my research here.
You are the man!! Awesome stuff…as always
Marianne - Yeah, I didn’t have time for a short post, so I wrote a long one instead. Laptop was an HP, although I wouldn’t let that sway your purchasing decision. The incident that caused the laptop’s demise (which I am not allowed to describe) was pretty random and I doubt it would happen again.
Amy - Thanks!
Ahh….My favorite way to end my work week! With a reading of The Blog Stalker!
And I want Kate to think your blog is crazy popular so I’m commenting again!
Yeaahhh…what happened to the Shred!?!?
I love it when Kate sneaks foods…
That video (and this post) rocked my socks. Also, if you think Swine Flu Fever is over you clearly have strayed from my blog (I only cried a little!) as my students have been cinching their hoodies over their faces in a foolprove effort of staying healthy!
that sooo sucks about the laptop. I’m reminding mine how much I love it right now as I type this! I consider each key stroke a mini love tap, I wonder if lappy thinks the same?
What sucks even more is that your wit star still shines 25% brighter than mine even in an abbreviated version of “This Week in Blogs.” Looking forward to next week.
You know, I’m in college and I have a blog PRECISELY so I don’t consume a pizza pie and some gold fish as my breakfast, lunch and dinner. I tried and it doesn’t really make for pretty food blog pictures, so I eat oatmeal and lots of greek yogurt instead.
It’s sort of good. Both types of diets go well with beer.
Great post, as always!
Blogger gone wild…lmao
Love the new site!
Nate - I discovered your blog recently and I’m so glad that I did! It makes me giggle and I look forward to your posts.
Great stuff yet again
I would try to insert color + size into this comment.. but I can’t figure out how to!! OH and I get at least 3 spams / day + can’t make it stop!! When is the next get together? I want to play.
Katie - Thanks for making my blog appear to be super popular
KERF - Yes, it’s all fun and games until I get poisoned. And have you renamed that damn snake yet? I think we should call him Carlton. Does that work?
SuperCaloric Emily - Don’t cry. I’ve been stalking you and your obscure (not available in the rest of the world) foods. I have been to many grocery stores and have never seen yogurt with a kangaroo on the packaging. And to answer your rhetorical question - yes it is dorky to schedule a trip to Whole Foods for a week, but you can just call it blog research, and then it’s not so bad.
Leila - I didn’t even know I had a wit star, but thank you.
Olga - Could we get one ‘how to’ post with the drink mixture that you described in comments last week?
OSG - Glad you finally found us…I was worried. Less time hiking…more time reading my blog! And I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that I came home from a work trip to find all of the project glow skincare products in my shower.
Ashley - Congrats on your discovery, and glad you like it.
Mara - Thanks, and thanks for doing your part to increase the emoticon population.
B+B - More Spam = More Comments = Your blog looking super popular. We need another get together soon. I nominate Kath to handle the details.
I am still enjoying the 30 Day Shred even though the stock is “down” !!
Great stalking reviews as usual! Always fun to read, Nate!
haha. Just found your blog via bites + bowls… love it! I’ll be back!
Nate,
Is that commercial for real? Hilarious!
So sorry about Kate’s computer, and I have to agree with you about all these college bloggers. I so did not eat like they do when I was in school. It was all cereal all the time, and none of this Kashi Go Lean stuff with almond milk. I was a 100% Lucky Charms kind of gal.
I love how Kate sneaks Greek yogurt into your meals. I do the same thing to my husband. Perhaps she’ll slip you some purple cauliflower soon.
Hi there! I am new to your blog but I think I am YOUR new blog stalker! Love it. This post is hilarious. My college eats weren’t so great, either. I’m trying to make up for it now
Love the re-cap - what a bust about the laptop though!!
I missed the Shredding train. Dammit. How will I live with myself?
My husband hates greek yogurt (or any yogurt for that matter), but I just keep on buying it for him. I’m not sure what makes me do it.
Love the blog!!
Can you address all the juicing and smoothing that’s been happening around here?!?!
Leah - That’s acceptable. I’m still contributing to my 401K even though it is stock down.
lk - Glad you like it.
HTSB - Yeah, it’s a real commercial and a real place. I’m so proud to be from the same state as the red house.
Angelea - 50% of your first name is vowels. That’s rare in an eight letter name. Congrats on that. Keep on buying that Greek Yogurt. Buy it all. Less for Kate to buy.
Stephanie - Juicing is reaching epidemic proportions. I would say something negative about it, but I’m afraid that Kate’s juicer (juicing robot) will walk up the stairs and kill me in my sleep.
Lara - Stalk away
What I would not give for a food blog that chronicled my college years. I bet I could get Captain Morgan and Pizza Hut to sponsor it.
Also, is it common for most food bloggers to gloss over their alcohol consumption on crazy weekends/nights? I for one would never post on the Internet how much I drink on particular nights, but then, I am not a food blogger. I am not trying to “hold myself responsible” for anything. I don’t blame anyone for not posting their alcohol consumption on the Internet, I just find it all kind of curious. And I really admire one of them the bloggers (Carrots ‘n Cake maybe?) who actually said her New Year’s resolutions (or somewhere) that one of her goals was to stop binge drinking.
hhaha you know Nate, now that finals hell is over, I might actually consider it. I just need to find a dozen students to drink the tub of wapatuli with me…but that shouldn’t be too hard.
Thanks for the kudos, Nate!
Hope Kate’s compute gets fixed. Yes, the “r” was dropped on purpose because that’s a new word I’m trying to incorporate into blogland. Though not very actively, as this is the first time I’ve used it online.
awesome - these crack me up so much and make the mornings at work so much better
Hehe!! I MUST comment now to make Kate proud. Your sense of humor KILLS me (not literally, but I laugh out loud every post). I’m not a blogger, just a reader…just wanted to say thanks for the giggles!
I’ve probably upped your page views by hundreds today.. I just keep clicking refresh in hopes for the weekly wrap up before work!! Beer tomorrow?
No real comment but I want to help with Kate realizing your blog is popular.
Oh, and I’d second the request for a picture of Gilbert!