Petty Irritation

Here is an entry to test the limits of your tolerance for rather bland stories. I have had two disappointing peanut butter experiences in a row. A few months ago, I bought a "natural" peanut butter - you know, the kind where the oil separates and sits on top and the bottom is a dry concrete mixture. But I thought perhaps I have a more adult palate now, and I will enjoy this style of peanut butter. I guess the formula has changed, because this fucker was oily all the way through. Soupy peanut butter is no fun. I finished it, though, b/c I didn't want to be wasteful. And when I did finally finish it, I went back to a name brand but foolishly decided "Oh, let's see if they've improved the reduced fat version!" Yeah, they haven't. The label claims it's a peanut spread, which is truly a misnomer because it doesn't spread at all. It's the opposit of the oily natural, and it's concrete-y all the way through.

The lesson? Just buy regular mass-produced peanut butter, kids.

Newstalgia

"Hey Matt?"
"Yeah Tim?"
"Hey - you talked to Mark lately?"
"I haven't really talked to him but he looks pretty uh, down."
"He looks pretty down. Well maybe we should try to cheer him up then?"
"What do you suppose we should do?"
"Well - does he like butter tarts?"

from "Steal My Sunshine" by Len

Remember this song? It is awesome. Thank you, iTunes, for suggesting I remind myself of this. Even better? I found the spoken part in the intro refers to a Canadian pastry. For some inexplicable reason, because I myself am not Canadian nor am I particularly close to any Canadians (although I am fond of those I've met), I love it when the Canucks embrace their Canadianness. Canadianity? Canadisms? It's like vicarious nostalgia - I enjoy the comfort foods that make them happy, or the pop culture references that make them chuckle, or the maple leafs sewn on backpacks that let them know one of their own is nearby.

And who wouldn't like butter tarts? They'd probably cheer me right the fuck up.