07/29/2006 Entry: "SNT & A Very Dirty Martini."

SNT.

EDIT: This past week, a company we work with took us out to dinner at some schmancy, above-us kind of place, so we all took the opportunity to order things we would never normally order. For me, it started with steak tartare, which was so ungodly good that I'll probably make the mistake of ordering it at a lesser establishment in the future and subsequently puke. As things progressed, I was introduced to dirty martinis. I'd never had a martini in my life, because I hate vodka, and because the devil mixes his lies in the truth and vermouth. As it was explained to my uncultured swine face, a "dirty" martini means they dump in some of the salty olive brine, and a "very dirty" martini means they dump enough salty olive brine in to make it almost impossible to detect any alcohol. As someone who will occasionally buy a jar of olives with thoughts of only drinking the juice, I was down with that. Very dirty martinis are my new sophisto drink of choice.

But I really suck at making them at home.

http://www.inmypocket.com

Never thought I'd see the MIMP logo on toy department shelves again. Found 'em while looking for Dora crap for my cousin.

Chestnuts roasted by Daniel85 @ 07/29/2006 07:56 PM EST

Party!

Chestnuts roasted by Joker @ 07/29/2006 07:57 PM EST

I got an e-mail about the MIMP combeback today...awesome. And the figures look really good. Then again, has anyone seen any of the new Madballs yet? :/

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/29/2006 07:58 PM EST

Nope, no Madballs...but I did hear that there was a movie in pre-production that was based on Hot Wheels.

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 07/29/2006 08:07 PM EST

Yet Another Matt-

If you're someone who embraces his love of toys (ahem, action figures), and aren't embarassed to tell people that you still like GI Joe, I have a possible solution. Go to an auto parts store and ask them if you can sort through their selection of o-rings. Most of those stores will have a box with a variety of sizes and elasticities (is that a word?).

Barring that, I bet you can order a repair kit from a GI Joe collector's site. I mean, those things broke all the time. I'm sure the Joe fans have a replacement part all worked out. I've seen similar replacement parts for commonly broken/lost parts on Transformers.

Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 07/29/2006 08:18 PM EST

When I was little I went to play with my friend from church. He had a ton of G.I. Joes and we decided to take all of them out and stage a war. That was the first time I had ever played with one and I didn't realize how easy the rubber band snapped. I ended up breaking about five of them and throwing them under his bed. Later that day his mom came in, found them, and blamed him for breaking them. I still feel terrible about that.

Chestnuts roasted by GloomyJack @ 07/29/2006 08:46 PM EST

I forsee the night consisting of much Xenosaga Ep. II and possibly Empire. I made a joke about how I've never seen Treat Williams in any major motion picture, only stuff like Substitute 2, 3, and Failure is Not an Option (It's not numbered 4, check it yourself) and I found out he was a Bespin trooper. I had heard that previously, but now I have to see for myself. My luck he'll be helmeted or won't have a head-on shot at all.

Worth a shot

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 07/29/2006 08:49 PM EST

I feel like I've told this story in an article before, but oh well. Whenever one of my Joes broke, two things happened:

1) The legs were added to a pile of "toy body parts" in battlefield sectors of my bedroom, to add ambiance to any future battles.

2) The top half of the broken Joe become something of a "Yoda" character in my toyniverse. They were wise, generally nice and had magic powers. And they could fly. A lot of them got this treatment, but I remember Destro most of all. Because fuck, even if he breaks, you do not throw out Destro.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/29/2006 08:53 PM EST

That doesn't sound like a bad survey topic: Thing you did when you were a little kid that you still feel bad about.

Chestnuts roasted by consulatsunset @ 07/29/2006 08:53 PM EST

Just goofing off online tonight, catching up at various sites and lists after returning from my vacation to New England to visit my best friend yesterday. I'll spend this week working and resting my knee and wrist, both of which still hurt, but not as much as last week.

Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 07/29/2006 08:56 PM EST

My husband Hans and I were just talking about this last night. He mentioned a time when his family was driving the Canadian highway and he had his older brother's Deep Six in his hand, hanging out the window over the "perilous abyss." Alas, Deep Six was only hanging for a moment he was then snatched away by the wind. Hans pulled his hand inside and assumed a nonchalant expression which made his guilt obvious, though nobody knew what had happened. He tried to deny it, but you can never trust a kid with a bowl cut.

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 07/29/2006 09:01 PM EST

I was mostly into Transformers, and my best friend when I was a kid was mostly into G.I. Joes. Whenever we were at my place, we played TFs and whenever we were at his we played Joes.

We had a stage where we liked to take our Joes apart and mix & match the pieces. We actually came up with what we thought were some pretty cool looking figures, although I'm not sure what I'd think of them now. I can't remember any specifics, but I do remember two things. First, the screws stripped out really easy, so you had to be careful not to cross-thread them or over-tighten them. Second, the arm from BATS (the Cobra robot with the interchangeable hands) made a cool addition to ANY figure. Duke, Destro, Jinx, The Fridge, Sgt. Slaughter, Blowtorch, Crocmaster, and anyone else you can think of, everyone looks cooler with a bionic claw hand that can switch with a flamethrower or laser gun carried on the guy's backpack.

Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 07/29/2006 09:01 PM EST

I was an annoying little sister, breaking GI Joes was my specialty. One time my brother really pissed me off and I broke the ever living shit out of this GI Joe motorcycle thing he just got. Beyond repair. Man did I get my ass chased around the house that day. But being I was the youngest and the only girl, I was spoiled as shit, and I got away with everything.

Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 07/29/2006 09:04 PM EST

Anyone remember that line of toys that was basically real-sized Joe-gear that transformed into various military equipment?

I had a couple, but the only one that sticks out right now was the canteen that turned into the aircraft carrier.

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 07/29/2006 09:05 PM EST

Thing that I did as a kid that I still feel bad about? Hmmm.

I guess I feel bad about every time that I lied to my parents. I know that's not very specific, but I still remember times when I was caught. They looked so sad & disappointed, which was way worse than them being angry.

I still think of lies that I told that were not caught, and I feel bad about them. I think confessing them might make me feel better, but I just don't think I can stand to see my parents disappointed in me.

Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 07/29/2006 09:06 PM EST

Knegative: I think you're referring to "Army Gear."

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/29/2006 09:08 PM EST

I spent my afternoon having lunch with an old friend from elementary school. She hunted me down on MySpace. Was a good time.

Every blue moon, someone from my school days finds my website and sends an Email asking if I'm the same guy. I always enthusiastically respond and say "Hey, yeah, I remember you! Here's what's been going on in my life blah blah blah! What have you been up to? Let's trade Emails some more!" And then....that's it. They never respond back again.

This happens every time, and I don't know what I do to scare them away.

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 07/29/2006 09:47 PM EST

So, this is the TRUE no frills SNT.
Not to mention a topic that is relevant. Me and Mrs. Manimal are debating whether or not to do MySpace. There's a part of me that wants to say "hey" but a bigger part that says, "Who cares?". Not to mention all of the potential stickyness involved with us both being teachers. Yeah, I know you can set the profile to private, etc.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 07/29/2006 09:57 PM EST

I am also looking forward to the August MegaParty! I've actually become really content with the infrequent posting. I CAN'T WAIT for the Halloween countdown. I know, I know, it's only July...but I found a can of Jones Candy Corn soda in the back of my brother's fridge today, so I'm all in the mood for Halloween stuff now.

Chestnuts roasted by LuLu @ 07/29/2006 10:04 PM EST

Oooh! I like that glass!

I can't really think of anything from childhood that I feel bad about- maybe that time I dropped a softball on my best friend's face. I was a pretty good kid.

I do not have a myspace, but I like to find people I went to high school with and have a laugh at their expense. I know... I'm ashamed. It's just so fun to find out what they're up to without getting involved. Most of the time I REALLY don't want to be involved.

Chestnuts roasted by Rainbowfeet @ 07/29/2006 10:20 PM EST

Oh yeah. Martini's have changed this into a FRILL-riffic SNT.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 07/29/2006 10:26 PM EST

Ugh. The martini just changed this into a SPILL-riffic SNT for me.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/29/2006 10:27 PM EST

Maybe you need a sippy cup.

Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 07/29/2006 10:31 PM EST

That dirty martini sounds kind of nasty to me...but I don't really like olive juice. Pickle juice, now that's another story. But probably not with vodka.

I did a lot of stupid and mean stuff as a kid. I guess I kind of regret the time I stabbed that girl with a pencil in 3rd grade.

*crickets chirp*

Oh, who am I kidding? Bitch deserved it.

Chestnuts roasted by Mara @ 07/29/2006 10:33 PM EST

Mystie: But what's the point of drinking some disgusting alcoholic concoction if you don't get to use a special glass?

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/29/2006 10:34 PM EST

I would like to share if you don't know that disney is releasing GUMMI BEARS just like they did with Ducktales and Rescue Rangers. YESSSSSSSSS...

As for the childhood question: One time my sister was being her usual bitchy totally evil self. I went out the back door with my electric squirt gun and watered HELP on the sidewalk and yelled for her to come out. I left the gun there and went inside through the front door and went upstairs to play TMNT III. I played for a good 15 minutes completely forgetting about my ingenious ruse, when suddenly my sister burst in sobbing like crazy. She yelled at me and went away totally embarassed at having shown me she really did care if I were kidnapped. I felt a little shitty, but I was like 7 when I did that so I was glad I did it after a while. She got me back many, many... many more times after that.

Chestnuts roasted by Mattman @ 07/29/2006 10:37 PM EST

I AM aware of the Gummis finally getting their due--but on the same day, nobody may be able to give them any money.

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 07/29/2006 10:39 PM EST

Oh, oh, so you think you're better than me because you're using a "special glass" and I'm drinking my Diet Cherry Coke and rum out of a regular cup?

Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 07/29/2006 10:39 PM EST

I don't think I'm better than you, I just think that vodka sucksa.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/29/2006 10:41 PM EST

Has anyone tried the new Diet Pepsi Jazz? They were interesting, but kind of overpowering. The Strawberries and Cream was pretty good. I'll drink the other flavor tomorrow.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 07/29/2006 10:41 PM EST

Man, go away for a couple of hours and the SNT turns into a boozefest...if only I weren't at work.

*sigh*

Chestnuts roasted by Kyle @ 07/29/2006 10:45 PM EST

That martini is the most appalling mixed drink I've ever seen, and I require three of them immediately.

As for my dirty little secret? When I woke up on the morning of my sixth birthday, there was a train set running on the kitchen table. A nice train set, with all sorts of fiddly little trees and telephone poles and buildings all set into this enormous chunk of styrofoam landscape that looked to my six-year-old eyes to be at least two yards to a side, but which was probably half that. Anyway, I spent about a week running the little train around the track, in serious danger of becoming one of those Train Nerds (which would today be a respectable plume in my already impressive Nerd Hat) until my cousin came over to play. The same cousin, I might add, to whom I can trace each and every scar on my body. Long story short, we played with the train, we played with the Army helicopter with the pump handle that made the rotor blades spin in an exciting manner and little silver bombs that really detatched from the hardpoints...you can probably put the rest together yourself.

Anyway, after an exhilarating bombing campaign, during which we discovered that if you pressed one of the silver bombs really hard into the styrofoam at the base of one of the fiddly little trees or telephone poles, it would snap off and leave a crater just like a real bomb, the formerly idyllic countryside was a patchwork of felled trees, cratered earth, and disrupted train service. And then my mom came in, and made my cousin go home, and quietly explained to me that, despite the fact that it was late November and a dry year and therefore my dad had been spending about fourteen hours a day doing custom harvest work and repairing our crotchety old combine, he had stayed up most of the night before my birthday assembling the track and planting the little fiddly trees and putting the finishing touches on that splendid train set that was bought with money that we, in any real and concrete sense, did not have.

And so the bomb-riddled train set was thrown into the trash pit and my parents were studiously, quietly disappointed in me for several days, and nearly seventeen years later as I type this account, my cheeks are physically flushing with shame.

So there's that.

Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 07/29/2006 10:50 PM EST

Jedoc: I could see myself doing that same thing If I were given a train set. There's something about figuring out how something breaks that by the time you realize what's happening, you've destroyed everything. Like with my Ninja Turtle Hockey Game thing. It was really big and expensive but once I realized the stickers came off as well as the actual hockeyed-out turtle characters, it was shit. And I don't have a reason for doing it besides the fact that it all came apart.

Chestnuts roasted by Mattman @ 07/29/2006 11:09 PM EST

I LOVE VODKA! Not the taste, just doing shots of those and nothing else but water is great for lack of hangovers. Matt- I think you should learn it's wonders and sing it's praises.
I also love myspace. I have found and been found by alot of people there that I wanted to find. I thought it'd be a freak fest which was why I held off so long on getting one. It seems to me that the people who like to "collect" friends are friends of only others who like to do that. It's also a great boredom killer during slow work days.

Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 07/29/2006 11:15 PM EST

Try adding pickles.

Chestnuts roasted by Ronald MacKinnon @ 07/29/2006 11:21 PM EST

What about gin instead? Vodka is a bit of an evil bitch...but then gin is no sweetheart either. It has more sex appeal though (to painfully stretch the metaphor).
Ever since I gave up being a veg years ago I've loved rare meat and wanted to try tartare. I've only seen it on a few menus, and never trusted the place quite enough.
Looking forward to the Megaparty as well. In the meantime, there's Shark Week starting tomorrow!
Safe trip and have fun! Happy Saturday all!

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 07/29/2006 11:23 PM EST

Screw Gummi Bears. When the hell is the epic known as TALE SPIN going to hit DVD?

Also, does anyone else thing "smut site" when they read the url for the new MIMP? (www.inmypocket.com)....Maybe it's just me...

As for the Martinis...I really don't like much in the way of Alchohal, except for Red wine and Port. You can thank the church for turning me on to Port. I'm serious...

Happy SNT!

Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 07/29/2006 11:50 PM EST

Dude, I would totally screw the gummi bears I love them so much. But before you get all bitchy, Talespin Vol. 1 comes out August 29th along with Darkwing Duck.

Chestnuts roasted by Mattman @ 07/30/2006 12:00 AM EST

Thanks for the headsup Mattman. I didn't know that the Gummi's were coming out. See, this is the best thing about having a daughter, I can buy the GUMMI BEAR DVD without impunity.
P.S. If there be sippy cups ye be needing O' Great One, I've got some nice Dora ones. You may have to cut back on the amount of olives though.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 07/30/2006 12:03 AM EST

That is a real kick ass glass, of course I would be drinking something like a chocolate milkshake or Kool-aid in it.
I can't be the only one that does not drink alcohol around here?

Good night! Gotta go, I'm on a mission from God.

Chestnuts roasted by IHAQ @ 07/30/2006 12:07 AM EST

August 29th?

Man, I've GOT to find a job...The Wizard on the 28th and TaleSpin on the 29th? Arghh..

Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 07/30/2006 12:08 AM EST

I used to have a myspace account. Then a collegue had her comments used as evidence in a departmental 'investigation'. That's when I pulled the plug. Maybe that's unneccessary paranoia, but I was sick of it anyway. I did find a couple of old friends through it, but it was never good for more than a "hey how ya been?"

I got sick of blogging really quickly. I've never been one to journal, don't know why I would want to do that online. This place and FinalFantasyHybrid are enough for me.

But hey, do your own thing, that's just my two cents. Oh, and Matt, you never fail to amaze me. Thanks!

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 07/30/2006 12:12 AM EST

One night during my senior year in college a few of us got together and had few drinks. This eventually grew into a trip to another apartment to get whatever booze was available. We started mixing everything and I got so drunk I don't remember much, which is rare for me. To the point of the story: One thing I do remember is that I eventually wound up finishing a bottle a bottle of vodka, and as I walked down the hall the entire world tilted like on of those amusment park funhouse rides. All that said to agree with the point that vodka is some tough shit. I've still got the bottle to remind me NOT to do that again...

Chestnuts roasted by Shuanfu @ 07/30/2006 12:18 AM EST

Hey Cameron T.:
I feel your pain about needed a JOB!

Chestnuts roasted by Shaunfu @ 07/30/2006 12:21 AM EST

It's like they wait for one day to release everything you've ever wanted EVER. No job here either, but... I will find a way. (mommy, I want it...)

Chestnuts roasted by Mattman @ 07/30/2006 12:26 AM EST

Ok, im late to this and have learned (through this thread) that Darkwing Duck, Duck Tales and Gummi Bears dvd releases are happening in the not-too-distant future.

Oh yea, and i have Animaniacs and Pink and the Brain sets to buy.

I havent even started my new job yet and my paychecks are getting spent *sigh*

If Doug gets a release any time soon my life will be complete....

Chestnuts roasted by DantheApe @ 07/30/2006 01:12 AM EST

I should drink shitty martinis more often. I just plowed through an article so fast, I keep reading it to make sure it isn't the worst thing ever written.

After I do that a few more times, I'll publish. Stick around if you're bored.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/30/2006 01:12 AM EST

Also: I own the DuckTales DVD set, and boy, the kid in me wasn't kidding when he said that that was the best The Disney Afternoon had to offer. Really great toon, even still.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 07/30/2006 01:14 AM EST

I hate my job, but I guess I feel lucky to have one while I look for something better.

I had something really weird happen tonight. I got knocked out of the poker tournament super early. I mean like the fifth hand. I play Hold'em, and the board paired twice. I had the small boat, and read my opponent wrong. I thought he was betting into me, when really it was the other way around. Anyway, after the game I went to Wal-Mart to run some errands.

While at Wal-Mart, I had a dizzy spell. I didn't fall down, but only because I was clutching my cart. I have no idea what happened. Otherwise I feel fine. I hadn't been drinking, nor had I taken any medication. I'm supposed to work some overtime tommorrow, but I'm not sure if I dare get in the car for the hour+ commute without knowing what the hell is going on. ESPECIALLY considering I fell asleep and totalled a car only a couple months ago. On the other hand, I can just imagine me explaining my absence to my boss.

ME: I didn't come in Sunday like I promised. I had a dizzy spell at Wal-Mart.

MY BOSS: Either lay off the alcohol or stop getting so excited by low prices. You are so lazy, and this will be noted on the performance evaluation that's due next week.

CARP!

Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 07/30/2006 01:23 AM EST

Every time I check in, this place gets a little drunker. Jumping around from topic to topic with just a hint of swagger. Where will it go next? Who's going to get into a fight and spend the night in jail? Place your bets.

Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 07/30/2006 01:26 AM EST

I don't drink often but i have a great recipe for anyone

1 plastic cup
1 bag of ice
1 bottle of rum

place ice in cup, add rum to said cup

enjoy til either rum or ice runs out

Chestnuts roasted by DantheApe @ 07/30/2006 01:43 AM EST

IHAQ-
I also do not drink alcohol. I did have some pretty awesome chocolate milk a couple of hours ago, though. Unfortunately, the glass it was in was rather unattractive.

I picked up Rescue Rangers Vol. 1 and Ducktales Vol. 1 last year, and I was really disappointed by the number of times I fell asleep while watching Rescue Rangers, because I always loved that one the most. Watching them now, Ducktales was better. I'm probably going to pick up at least the first volume of most of these shows one day, when I can afford it, or after I complete other series sets I've already started.

Chestnuts roasted by Rainbowfeet @ 07/30/2006 02:29 AM EST

Man, I've GOT to find a job...The Wizard on the 28th and TaleSpin on the 29th? Arghh...

The Wizard is going to be $10, Cameron. You can be a deadbeat for a little longer...

I could compare trying to keep up with today's DVD production pace to running on a treadmill, but I think it's more like trying to save yourself from drowning while Warner Bros, Disney and News Corp keep throwing large rocks at you.

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 07/30/2006 04:20 AM EST

Sorry I dropped out of the conversation last night, guys. I ended up getting into a fight and spending the night in jail.

(Not really. I'm a lover, not a fighter. Well...I'm not a fighter, we'll leave it at that.)

Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 07/30/2006 08:39 AM EST

IHAQ, Rainbowfeet - I don't drink alcohol either.

Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 07/30/2006 08:50 AM EST

A friend of mine used to fix his GI Joes with those little rubber bands they use for dental stuff (like retainers). It worked pretty well and was cheap, too.

Chestnuts roasted by Todd @ 07/30/2006 09:15 AM EST

My favortie moment from Duck Tails is the squeal that Scrooge's...lawyer? makes when Scrooge starts screaming about a whale eating his ice cream. Classic.

By the way: also no alcohol for me, but I will drink the olive juice, or pickle juice, or...balsamic vinager. Crushed ice makes it a tasty treat.

Chestnuts roasted by Mad Cow @ 07/30/2006 10:53 AM EST

I like to do shots on Georgi Blue and read X-E!

Chestnuts roasted by Hot Shot @ 07/30/2006 01:35 PM EST

I was just at an enormous booze-fest at a Frat Bro's house. Insane. Course, I don't drink myself (and witnessed a fair amount of drunken Myspace commenting), but in one of my giant cups of coke, I spiked it with some Midori Melon (dear god, that combination tasted suprisingly good. Like Coke with Lime, only it gets ya tipsy)

I'll post in the new thread in the mornin'

PS: I wrote this at 3am, and greymatter's been banning me.

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 07/30/2006 02:15 PM EST

knegative-I remember those toys fondly, I had the one that was a knife and I brought it to second grade while showing it to my friend the teacher saw it and confiscated it. She said I could have it back at the end of the year but she never did. I was convinced for years that she stole it and gave it to a nephew or something.

Chestnuts roasted by mrjayberry @ 07/30/2006 04:41 PM EST

Matt, heard that you got the DuckTales on DVD. I wonder if you going to review an episode? With me, I just bought the best of She-Ra: Princess of Power. This DVD include The of the Sword.

Chestnuts roasted by Kowl @ 07/30/2006 10:09 PM EST

Matt, I'm going out on a limb here to guess you guys went to a Four Seasons or something. Either that or coincedental that I was at one drinking martini's and saw "steak tartare" on the menu for ridiculous amount of money. By the way, real martini's have gin, the movie bond drinks a vodka martini and the book bond drinks a "vesper" which is gin and vodka. Probably be in Casino Royale but then again they did change Bacarat to Texas Hold 'em...

Chestnuts roasted by Moore Roger @ 07/30/2006 10:48 PM EST

Daniel85,

Oh dear Christ on a mo-ped! I am so happy to see the world has not forgotten about MIMPs. I love, love, love, reeeeally loved MIMPs.
Yes, I wonder if they still claim to be but aren't very squishy.

Chestnuts roasted by RedLightBulbs @ 07/30/2006 11:40 PM EST

You're not alone IHAQ (and others), I've been straight edge for longer than I can clearly remember. I'm a big enough @$$ w/o getting altered in anyway shape or form. I do however, enjoy the company of those who drink and partake in other activities I abstain from.

My DD services are of course available, for all your party needs.

Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 07/31/2006 06:11 AM EST

Matt, that's cool if you don't like vodka (I could NEVER drink it straight or do shots or anything) but have you ever tried a Bay Breeze? Vodka, pineapple juice and cranberry juice? You won't even know you're drinking vodka. It's delicious ice cold...I don't like hard liquor so if it's fruity tasting and disguised not to taste like liquor, I usually love it.

Chestnuts roasted by Melissa Y @ 07/31/2006 12:12 PM EST

On the subject of awesome drinks: The Tuscan breeze at Olive Garden made me prop a teepee.

Chestnuts roasted by Old E @ 07/31/2006 07:10 PM EST