This Week In Blogs, Volume IX
Hi Friends. Thanks for coming back and spending some of your holiday weekend with me. I hope you enjoy the long weekend. I think we’re going to buy a mattress. That’s what the loud guys on the television commercials are telling me to do. Kate is settling in with her new blog reading machine. Thanks to everyone who suggested various bookmark storage methods (as well as Google Reader). probably not gonna happen, but thanks anyways.
We were kind of bored last weekend. When we’re bored and have lots of time on our hands, we usually come up with ideas that may or may not be good. Like in college when I wanted to buy two aquariums, hang them on opposite sides of the room and connect them with some clear tubing. Then we were going to buy a hamster. The brilliance comes in with the food and water distribution. I wanted to put the food in one aquarium and the water in the other aquarium. That way the hamster would be forced to walk back and forth through the tubing to entertain me. To this day I consider this to be the best idea that I’ve ever come up with, but unfortunately it never got past the diagram on napkin stage.
I bring this idea up because Kate had a similar idea this weekend. The previous owners of our house installed a massive hot tub on our deck. I’m not quite sure why they did this, but based on the popcorn ceilings and mountains of brass throughout the house (that have since been removed), I assume they never moved out of the 1980s. So for the past 11 months, we’ve been trying to figure out what to do with this damn hot tub. It would cost too much (and leave a massive hole in our deck) if we got it removed, but we really don’t see ourselves taking outdoor baths with our friends anytime soon. So Kate decided that we would turn it into a cool tub or mini pool (still working on the name). I didn’t think she was serious, but then she came home with his and hers inflatable rafts. Our weekend was spent draining, cleaning, and refilling the cool tub/mini pool. I wasn’t buying into this idea when her pitch was “you can just lay around and read magazines,” so then she changed it up and said “you can lay around and drink beer.” That’s all it took to get me to buy in. Here’s the cool tub in action:
Snap, I’m like 400 words into this post and I haven’t started talking about blogs yet. I better get going.
The Gilded Clam is packing up her apartment and getting ready to move. If she is as good at packing as she is at arranging fruits and vegetables on a plate, then moving should be a breeze. I swear she eats more fruits and vegetables than anyone I know. And by ‘know’ I mean people who have blogs that I stalk. Her fruits and veggies are always so neatly arranged on her plate too. Reading her blog always makes me feel guilty about my lack of fruit and veggie consumption, and motivates me to go buy produce. After reading this post, I went to the grocery store and bought an orange. But instead of just eating the orange, I went to the beer aisle and bought a 12 pack of Blue Moon to compliment the orange. The beer is almost gone, but the orange is still in the fruit bowl. I blame you, Clam. Oh, and I know the blog name is Gliding Calm, not Gilded Clam, but Gilded Clam is more fun to say, so I’m going to stick with that.
Kath’s house is apparently turning into a wildlife preserve. In the past week or so, we’ve seen the love ducks, Winston the Garden Snake (there is only one Gilbert in Charlotte blogland, and he’s my dog), a family of squirrel babies in her garage, and a roach on the ceiling. This is getting out of control. I think word has traveled through the animal kingdom that you have a compost pile filled with Matt’s beer ingredients and that food companies send you lots of free stuff. I’m going over to Kath’s house for dinner tonight, and I’m thinking about dressing up as Brian Fellows and staying in character for the entire evening. Oh that is one fuzzy bug!
Speaking of animal sightings, Kelsey took an amazing shot of a moose knuckle in this post. I would love to provide more detail on this post, including the meaning of moose knuckle, but this is a family show. You can look it up on Urban Dictionary, or just look at the pictures on the post and you can probably figure it out. I’ve sat here for about five minutes trying to come up with a family friendly way to describe this post, but I’ve got nothin. You’re just going to have to check it out for yourself. I’m just glad I wasn’t wearing 3D glasses while reading this post, because it might have poked my eye out.
The beautifully bald ZestyCook is holding a pimp my blog contest here. I would prefer if he held a scalp giveaway contest so I could have his beautiful bald head (instead of my white man afro that the humidity is taking from Will Ferrell to Bob Ross style), but his idea is good too. It’s such a good idea that I almost didn’t tell you guys about it. Not that I need a blog makeover (this blog is a hot mess - thanks to Pinky’s husband) but 10 hours of Zesty magic seems like a good idea. If I win, I’d like him to focus primarily on figuring out how I can make money on this thing, or optimize my blog for free shiz. The UPS man drives by every day and never stops, and that needs to change. For those of you that don’t know, Zesty provides about 96% of the tech support for the food blogging world. When anyone has a design or formatting issue, they just contact their Canadian blog guru. It’s like he’s some kind of one man Mountie Geek Squad.
Stock Up
Extreme Close-ups of fingers and toes - These are taken both pre-mani/pedi and post-mani/pedi. I have a recommendation on this one. Just include a link to a picture of your fingers and/or toes. Then blog readers can make a personal decision as to whether or not they want to see your fingers and toes. Just a suggestion.
Tofu - Tofu posts are outnumbering Tempeh posts 2-1 this week. I expect Tempeh to make a strong comeback next week. These two are going point/counterpoint like Obama and Cheney these days.
Pancakes - Caitlin is really the only blogger that is rocking the fried cake and syrup, but since she eats them every friggin day, she has single handedly brought them into the stock up category. We’re currently calling her Caitlin Pancake, but might change that to Pancake Tipping Point or Healthy Tipping Pancake.
Tattoos - Lots of blogger ink out there
Stock Down
Staying at home - I never realized that bloggers were such road warriors. Lots of blogger travel in the past week, and I don’t like it. I like consistency in my food blogs. I’m probably just mad because all of my blogger friends are traveling too much which means I can’t hang out with them. I’ll stop whining now.
Danielle and Gucci Model’s Phone ‘Relationship - This one is for all the Real Housewives of New Jersey fans out there. That lady is a piece of work. In other RHNJ news, I’m a big fan of Albie.
Smoothies - Juicing and Green Monsters are still going strong, but overall blender usage is down 28% from last week. Perhaps it’s related to the recent cold streak that hit the east coast. Or maybe I’m just thinking too much about this.
That’s all for this week. I’m going to try to do two posts next week. One for the blogs that I usually stalk, and then one where I talk about blogs that I haven’t talked about before. Should be able to swing it, since most of my TV shows are now in re-runs. We’ll see how that goes, and I’ll try to do better next week.
Update: Alright…I have to update this post. Big news here…I got my first free shiz delivered in the mail today!!! Hangry Heather sent me some throw back Mountain Dew, throwback Pepsi, and some delicious baked goods. I heart Hangry Heather. I feel like I’ve made the big time now. I’d take a picture, but I’m sort of busy eating some Hangry Muffins.
Alright. Now I swear I’m done. Thanks again, Heather!
Hahaha! The moose knuckle is hilarious! And I do not even know what to say about Gucci Model… these ladies scare me! By the way.. your free bag of coffee is still coming… sorry… it has been a crazy few weeks around here.
Dont you think Danille looks like the Cat Lady? her face is wierd.
Hmmm if you’re not a fan of extreme finger and toe close-ups, then you probably wouldn’t be a fan of my bike injury post, featuring bloody wounds. Just guessin’.
YES!!!!!!!!! i contributed to the tattoo stock-up! : ) well, at least the hubz did.. we will be getting more soon!
Hilarious as always! love the “mini pool”. I bought some Tempeh that I have yet to try, I will have to “stock up” on it next week.
I love your hamster idea!
Actually,now that I think about it, I am pretty sure that was a hamster, not a moose knuckle
I caught one (or three) episodes of the Real NJ Housewives last night and I think it’s actually quite reflective of the current economic conditions. I mean one of them is divorced and their houses aren’t as glamorous as previous seasons.
Who was the one who said that her life is SO hard because she’s a “single mom” since her husband works day and night so she can buy her Gucci purses and drive a Mercedes? I’d like to see if she would reconfigure her definition of “single mom” if you put her in the Brooklyn projects for a day with a bunch of food stamps and no electricity. That would be a good show.
I digress. Great post, as always. I still say Gliding Clam all the time. I swear, I thought it was “clam” for like months.
I have a totally nasty blister on my foot but haven’t posted pics because it even grosses me out to look at it, I can’t imagine how others would feel!
OMG - I was at work when I read Kelsey’s post yesterday, and honestly thought I might get in trouble for looking at porn! Those spandex were wrong in so many ways. I’d love the twice a week post - but fully respect TV schedules come first (oh cable, how i miss thee)
I LOVE PANCAKESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I like consistency in my blog reading as well. I always get so sad when the post isn’t there =(
I can’t stop laughing at the moose knuckle post. People are so weird!
I will make sure NOT to mention your hamster idea to the fiance or I’ll end up with that contraption at my house!
Nice hamster idea!
Loving the mini pool
hahaha! This is the first time I have seen your blog and I was laughing out loud! Can’t wait to read more
I’m impressed that you blog about wanting free stuff and voila…it arrives!
Great Swimming Tub/Hot Pool!
the mini pool is pretty sweet. But if I had to pick sides, the hamster idea is WAY better
I’m happy to say I contributed to the increase in the nail close up “stock up” this week.
Your first free shiz - exciting moment! You should take a picture in case you ever make like a blog baby book! I almost told my husband about your hamster idea but then I stopped myself when I realized that if I showed him I would have my very own hamster extravaganza by the end of the long weekend.
Can’t wait to play in that pool!!!
Tattoos should always be stock up as far as I’m concerned - hurray for body art!
so bummed when gucci model was m.i.a.
also. the cool tub. pure brilliance.
keep that kate around for sure.
i’m new to the blogging game so i have been reading up on your recaps and stock up/stock down for guidance. maybe if i make some pancakes, photograph some of my ink (i’ve got lots!) and campaign for increased blender usage (damn, no vitamix, but i can kick it with the cuisinart), i’ll hit it big?!
congrats on scoring some free stuff!
I am trying to get Mark to try to find the Homes of the Housewives with me. If we do, pictures will be taken of course.
Glad I could provide you with your first free blog stuff. Mark wants to know if you liked the Dew because he did not.
Also, I guess you did not appreciate my posts chronicling my efforts to stop biting my nails!!!!
love the cool tub/mini pool! I want one.
I hope you have a great holiday weekend!
that is the hot spot!! sheesh. I wish you could come install one on my porch! Wouldn’t that be something.
Yea Clam sucks. When it was my Dad’s bday someone left me a comment that said “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAPA GLIDING CLAM” and I got a little T-Oed. No I didn’t….but wana know what does bug me!? That technically I need an -ly on the end to be grammatically correct….but then it wouldn’t have the same ring. Why’d I pick such an effed up name in the first placE!?
You are hysterical… and actually have a pretty accurate summary here!
“I’m Brian Fellows!”
I love Tracy Jordan…even if he is 68.
Oh my God. I just came across your blog through KERF and love it…for those days when I don’t have time to stalk the foodie blogs myself, I will surely come here for the Cliff’s Notes meets The Soup version.
Rock on.
The aquarium thing sounds pretty cool! How awkward was Danielle’s interview about Gucci Model? I don’t want to hear about her awesome…phone conversation.
Nate,
Loving the mini-pool, and I can’t believe you never used your orange in your Blue Moon. Blue Moon + orange slice = the only way to drink beer.
P.S. It was fun seeing pictures of you & Kate over on KERF. I want more!
no mention of the Adora disc calcium? I’ve noticed that that popped up recently everywhere…
Enjoying your blog on blogs!
Oh that beautiful bald canadian…he makes me PROUD to be canadian!
Salmon Butt - You should see some more Nate + Kate pics on Kerf this week…I should have some guest posts going up at some point.
Lindsay - Yeah. The Adora discs absolutely belong in the stock up category. I expect they’ll have a long tail like the PETA Vegan College Cookbook and we’ll still be hearing about the chocolate discs next week as well.
Jocelyn - You should be proud. I think Zesty just broke into my top 10 list of famous Canadians. Sorry, Bryan Adams, you had a nice run.
hey Nate!
You crack me up with the Glided Clam and Heat the Salmon Butt. I love both those blogs, by the way.
XOXO
I always put XOXO, hope that doesn’t seem weird you being a boy and all.
Hey Nate! I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures with Kath and Matt and I’m excited to have officially read The Blog Stalker - you crack me up!
Nate, I’m a WWU gal myself. I know the ups and downs. I love that your lunch post on Kath’s blog wasn’t fancy! Real is better.
You are a funny funny man. Keep on bloggin!
I LOVE the hamster/moose knuckle idea with the mini pool - too funny!
Ok - I have to agree that I need consistency in my blog posts and reading, but, wow, now that I am on the other side now, I realized it is sooo time consuming to live life and post too!
Don’t you think we should all get on the Caitlin Pancake Wagon? Maybe she could change her blog’s name to that. I’m going to tell her that, in fact. Anyways, your blog makes me laugh, which is great, because it burns a few of the calories I gain from looking at all the other food blogs that just make run out and eat whatever the other people are eating. Good show.
Kate’s setup looks pretty sweet.
Danielle + Gucci Model are my favorites. New Jersey may be the best season yet!
Hey! Just discovered your blog through your guest post on Kath’s site–and I love it. My Google reader is now updated:)
Nate i put up some Zumba videos for you.. you should try them out! : )
Ha!! You’re hilarious, I love the hamster idea!!
Hysterical as always, Nate. I figured you would have made Adora calcium disks “stock up” this week, though. Adora must have sent cases around to the blog world, they are everywhere!
Hands down, best part of this site, is the picture with Phyllis from The Office. Incredible.
P.S. I wasn’t sure where else to comment on that so…I just chose the most recent post
Just came across your blog. You ROCK! I really enjoyed the humour in this post and can’t wait to read more…